Shirley McDaniel couldn’t hide her cries and sobs. Her son Vernell Bing Jr. was shot in the head by an officer after a high-speed chase and crash in Springfield on Sunday.
“They shot my boy from behind. One time wasn’t enough,” she said.
McDaniel and her family watched Jacksonville Sheriff's Office's Monday news conference from our news truck.
They shook their heads in disagreement and left wanting more answers.
“If we commit a crime here on the street and that person is turned and walked away from us – what we learn in the law is that, that’s not self-defense. Where do you feel that your life is in danger at that point?” Tasha Thomas asked.
According to JSO, Vernell Bing, Jr. led them on a chase from Moncrief, through downtown and then to Springfield.
A collision with an officer's car landed his Camaro in front of a store on 9th and Liberty Street.
Witnesses say he then got out, and was shot in the head.
Octavia Dixon saw it all.
“How am I supposed to tell my kids to trust the police, the police are the good people, when they just witnessed what they did right in front of them?” she asked.
Bing is 22 year old with a baby on the way. Loved ones gathered where his body lay and community groups came together to show their support.
McDaniel says nothing can change the circumstances but for peace of mind, she needs justice.
“There’s other actions that could have been taken, but he took what he wanted and he took my son.”
This is the man shot by police Sunday evening in Springfield. Vernell Bing's mother tells me he had a son on the way pic.twitter.com/VPqDVAlsqo
— Russell Colburn (@RussellANjax) May 23, 2016
The community is outraged. Witnesses tell me police did not give the suspect any verbal commands; shot him in head as he was running.
— Erica Simon (@EricaOnABC13) May 23, 2016
Mother of shooting victim; family members watching JSO briefing from our truck. Councilman Gaffney here too. pic.twitter.com/paBWhlMUV2
— Erica Simon (@EricaOnABC13) May 23, 2016
JSO says no gun was found on Bing.
— Erica Simon (@EricaOnABC13) May 23, 2016
Bing's mother broke down after our interview. Heavy hearts here in Springfield. pic.twitter.com/S16qHJs6xV
— Erica Simon (@EricaOnABC13) May 23, 2016
Councilman Reggie Gaffney is calling for a federal, independent investigation into this shooting; JSO as a whole.
— Erica Simon (@EricaOnABC13) May 23, 2016
Police say Bing rammed into JSO vehicle. Witnesses say that's not true; the officer ran into Bing.
— Erica Simon (@EricaOnABC13) May 23, 2016
This is the building Bing crashed into. The door is visibly dented in. pic.twitter.com/ZoFyRufxyK
— Erica Simon (@EricaOnABC13) May 23, 2016
This is where Bing's body collapsed. You can still see remnants of blood. pic.twitter.com/vWWO1Xl5KJ
— Erica Simon (@EricaOnABC13) May 23, 2016
ON CBS47 AT 5: @jennaANjax @EricaANjax @PaigeANjax & our experts dig for answers in shooting involving #JSO officer. pic.twitter.com/6izibKhDR6
— Tenikka Smith Hughes (@TenikkaANjax) May 23, 2016
Crowd now yelling "no justice, no peace" and "no racist police." pic.twitter.com/QWWyFjObv9
— Erica Simon (@EricaOnABC13) May 23, 2016
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