The mother of a man shot and killed by San Diego police in the Gaslamp Quarter last October said she was forced to file a claim against the department in order to see surveillance of the shooting.
Victoria Jones was in Virginia when her son, Lamontez Jones, allegedly disrupted traffic at 6th and F Street.
Police say he pulled out what ended up being a fake gun, and two veteran police officers shot him ending his life.
The San Diego County District Attorney’s Office later determined the officers’ actions were justified.
"I wanted to know the truth," Jones told NBC 7. "I called one of the detectives…he’s the one who let me know they have witness video from a store nearby. I asked if I could see it, and he told me the only way I can see it is if I file a claim. I had to file a claim."
Jones admits her son had a troubled past and provoked police. However, she said she wanted to see the video for answers and closure.
"If you’re justified in killing our loved ones then why do we have to go through so much to see the reason? I don’t understand that," said Jones.
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The District Attorney’s office couldn’t speak about Jones’ case specifically, but said, in general:
"Regarding any video evidence connected to the DA's review, it's part of the investigatory file and not a public record...Should the family of someone who is shot file a civil suit, discovery would likely occur where the video would be provided to the family's attorney."
A District Attorney’s office spokesman added, they send letters to families of people fatally shot by officers that describe how they investigate. In some cases they meet the family members.
On Friday, the DA officials released video of Jones’ incident, along with video from two other local police shootings. The move came after public and media pressure for more transparency.
