The family of a man fatally shot by a Dallas police officer earlier this month said it has proof that contradicts the officer's account of the shooting.
John Husband, 21, was fatally shot June 2. Dallas police have said that Officer Leland Limbaugh shot Husband when he reached for a loaded gun in a struggle during a traffic stop.
His family said Friday that it had statements from two material witnesses that paint a different picture of the shooting. Steve Pipkin, the family's attorney, said Husband never posed a threat to police.
"John Husband the 3rd was not holding gun in his hand, never reached for a gun," he said. "When he turned to walk or move away toward the end of the car and was shot in the back, [he] was not holding a gun."
According to the police account of the shooting, Limbaugh pulled Husband over and asked if there were weapons in the car when the officer smelled marijuana coming from the vehicle. Police said Husband told the officer there were no weapons. Police said Limbaugh saw a handgun in Husband's waistband when he asked him to step out of the car. Husband reached for the gun during a scuffle, and Limbaugh shot him in the left shoulder blade.
At the time of the shooting, the family said Husband never pulled out gun. The family said police shot him in the back when he tried to run after police handcuffed him.
Dallas Police Chief David Brown said in a news conference several days after the shooting that witness interviews and evidence support Limbaugh's account of the incident.
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Pipkin said Husband's family would likely file a lawsuit.
Denise Giles, Husband's aunt, said the family wants justice.
"We've lost a loved one. Why?" she said. "I mean, it's a hole in our heart that's going to be there."
Dallas police would not comment on Friday.
Husband's family said it never heard from police. Brown has stated in the past that he had reached out to the family.
The shooting is under internal investigation. The results will be taken to a grand jury, the department said.
