Family Seeks Answers After 41 Shots Fired At Son

Garland family is mourning loss of their son, who was killed in police chase

The family of a man killed in a barrage of 41 bullets fired by a Garland police officer say they want justice.

Michael Allen, 25, was fatally shot after a high-speed police chase ended when he became corned in a cul-de-sac in Mesquite on Aug. 31.

Garland police said Tuesday that the officer, Patrick Tuter, rammed Allen's pickup truck and fired 41 times, reloading his gun twice.

Tuter is on administrative leave. He is the subject of a Garland police internal affairs probe and a Mesquite police criminal investigation.

"I've never heard of anybody have that much anger and hate in them to do that," said Allen's father, Mahlon, who also goes by Randy. "I don't understand why he kept shooting."

Michael Allen's parents said their son shouldn't have fled from police, but said they didn't want things to end up the way they did.

"We shared a heartbeat for nine months, and now he's gone," said his mother, Stephanie Allen.

Michael Allen, known as Mookie to his parents, was wanted on suspicion of fleeing police in Sachse a few days earlier.

At first, Garland police said the officer shot Allen after he rammed his pickup into the officer's car. But the department said Tuesday that dashboard-camera video showed that the officer had pinned Allen's truck.

Allen didn't assault the officer or return fire.

Police also added that it appeared Allen continued to try to get away because his tires were still spinning.

"To say that is excessive -- it may have been; it may not have been," Garland police spokesman Officer Joe Harn said. "But there [are] situation[s] where that many shots are fired to bring a situation under control and save people's lives."

Allen's parents first heard about his death when they saw his bullet-ridden truck on television.

They said they wish their son had made the right decision so he could watch his 4-year-old daughter, Natalee, grow up.

"He did not deserve the death sentence," his father said. "He did not deserve the death sentence."

"It's a hurt that you can never imagine," Stephanie Allen said. "It just hurts too bad and then, to find out all the things he did to him, it's too much."

As the investigation continues, the Allens said they hope some answers fill their emptiness.

The Mesquite Police Department, which is conducting a criminal investigation, will turn over its findings to the Dallas County District Attorney's Office.

Garland's internal investigation is looking at whether or not Tuter followed police procedures during the chase and shooting.

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