MESA, Ariz. (AP) - The family of a man who was fatally shot by Mesa police officers last week said Monday that they’re hoping witnesses will come forward and tell investigators what they saw.
What’s in dispute is whether 21-year-old Angel Benitez had his hands in the air when he was shot.
Police said Benitez was behind the wheel of a stolen car Friday in a pursuit that ended in Tempe.
They said Benitez complied at first before dropping his hands out of view toward the waistband of his pants.
Officers perceived that as a threat and opened fire, authorities said. Benitez was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.
It was later determined that Benitez wasn’t armed.
Mesa police said three officers involved had their body cameras turned on at the time of the shooting.
But the cameras didn’t capture the shooting, just audio of officers giving commands to Benitez before shots were fired.
The Tempe Police Department is coordinating with the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office on the shooting investigation.
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