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Attorney Crump shows a diagram of where Jalen Randle is said to have been hit
Photo: Brandon Bell/Getty Images
The family of a 29-year-old man shot dead by police in Houston, Texas, is demanding clarification on the exact circumstances of the operation.
The relatives raise serious allegations: Jalen Randle was hit while fleeing the police – and did not pose a threat.
They cite an independent post-mortem on the body.
"The results of our independent autopsy confirm that Jalen was shot in the back while running from police," said Ben Crump, the family's attorney and a prominent US civil rights activist.
Witnesses confirmed he was not carrying a gun when he was shot, the Houston Chronicle said in a statement.
On April 27, Jalen Randle was in a car chasing the emergency services.
Police said the narcotics department was looking for Randle.
There were three arrest warrants against him.
Recordings should be published within 30 days
When police saw Randle getting into someone's car, they said they tried to stop the car.
The driver of the car sped away with Randle.
Cops later found Randle carrying a gun in his pocket.
From the family's point of view, none of this was reason enough to shoot Randle.
They demand that the bodycam footage of the incident be released immediately.
Police said the footage would be released within 30 days of the incident, as required by regulations.
Police also noted that there are three investigations into the shooting, one being conducted by the Harris County Attorney's Office.
Jalen Randle's death is just the latest in a string of operations in which white US police officers have killed black men.
Almost two years ago, the agonizing death of African American George Floyd, recorded on a cell phone video, caused outrage during a police operation in Minneapolis.
He triggered nationwide protests in the United States - and strengthened the anti-racism movement Black Lives Matter.
Apr/Reuters
