For the first time, the family of a man shot and killed by a San Diego police officer is speaking about his death and why they think video of the incident should be released.
Devastated relatives of Fridoon Rawshan Nehad, 42, have seen security camera video of the April 30 shooting and call it "shocking and unprovoked." Nehad was gunned down by SDPD Officer Neal Browder outside the Highlights Bookstore on Hancock Street.
His sister, Benazeer Roshan, sat down with Liam Dillion with the Voice of San Diego, NBC 7’s media partner, to talk about Nehad’s battle with mental illness and PTSD, as well as their interactions with the SDPD since the shooting.
Roshan said the police were more concerned with negative publicity and potential civic unrest than giving the family basic information about the case.
On April 30, police were responding to a 911 call for a man wielding a knife inside the store. Browder was the first to arrive at the scene and encountered Nehad in a nearby alley. According to police, Nehad held something “shiny” as he approached the officer, though that object turned out to be a pen.
After ordering Nehad to stop and “drop the knife,” the city says Browder opened fire as Nehad got about 10 to 15 feet away. Browder did not have his body camera turned on during the incident, and the
Last month, the District Attorney's office announced it would not file charges against Browder.
Meanwhile, there is a legal fight brewing over security camera video of the shooting. As part of a wrongful death lawsuit, Nehad's family won the right to get a copy of that video, but with a protective order that it not be shown to anyone.
The news media is now trying to get that order lifted, and the family is supporting those efforts. A hearing on the matter will be held Tuesday.
Roshan told Dillon the family wants the public to see exactly what happened.
“They said no one could see this video and believe that their brother and son was attacking a police officer,” Dillon told NBC 7 Monday. “They said he was walking slowly, ultimately stopped and was shot and killed.”
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In a declaration filed with the court, SDPD Chief Shelley Zimmerman said releasing the video could jeopardize the officer's life and provoke violence against his colleagues.
Just days before the shooting, Nehad's mother had taken out a restraining order against him, admitting he would have violent episodes. Roshan said the restraining order was an effort to help get him into a shelter.
