A Phoenix family is seeking answers following a deadly police shooting that occurred in the early hours of Saturday morning. Imani Jackson, 46, was fatally shot by Phoenix Police officers after a confrontation that began with a report of shots fired near 27th Avenue and Van Buren Street, as FOX 10 Phoenix reported.
His family descibed Jackson as a man who had faced past difficulties but was on the path of reformation, dedicating himself to work, Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, and family—especially in caring for his grandchildren. According to 12 News, Jackson was allegedly threatening people with a gun before fleeing in a vehicle, which police later stopped. Subsequent events led to a chase on foot with Jackson reportedly reaching toward his waistband before officers used lethal force.
Following the shooting, a candlelight vigil was organized where Imani's role as "the protector and provider of the family" was highlighted. He was "the man," Hune'e Jones said during the vigil, mourning the loss of her uncle, in a statement obtained by FOX 10 Phoenix.
Surveillance video captured Jackson with his hands raised, exiting his vehicle and then proceeding out of view of the cameras. Moments later, two officers were seen following, as described by FOX 10 Phoenix. "I just want the body cam footage. I want to know if he had a gun on his person because what I saw from this footage from this store is he had his phone in his hand," Jazmine Jackson, Imani's daughter said.
The family is still waiting for the release of the body camera footage and further details which Phoenix Police have indicated will be provided in line with their two-week transparency policy. Meanwhile, a GoFundMe has been established to assist the family, and authorities have not disclosed how many shots were fired or the specific circumstances leading up to the use of deadly force, according to FOX 10 Phoenix. "This could have been prevented if they just tased him or they could have did anything else. They didn’t have to shoot him multiple times," Jazmine Jackson expressed, in the hope of understanding what truly happened to her father, as reported by 12 News.
