DECATUR, Ga. — Family members are demanding a DeKalb police officer lose his job for a deadly police shooting.
Body camera footage requested and examined by Channel 2 Action News reveals DeKalb police warned one another about their requirement to render aid, but failed to do so for more than an hour. Officers on the scene cited the lack of equipment on scene to properly deem it safe ahead of SWAT’s arrival.
The attorney for the family of Williams says department policy requires officers to call SWAT, follow mental health protocols, not use excessive force, and allow EMS to render aid.
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Family members of Williams are upset Sgt. Devon Perry is still on the force answering 911 calls.
“How shameful it is that Chief Ramos has not fired these men who Murdered my son in his foyer for no reason” said Chris Ann Lewis, Williams’ mother.
Activists and family gathered Wednesday at the DeKalb County Government Offices to demand the firing of the officer.
DeKalb Police Chief Mirtha Ramos said last year there would be a full investigation.
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DeKalb police first went to Williams’ neighborhood in April after a 911 caller claimed he was homeless and did not belong there. Williams owned a condo at the complex for years. The caller told police Williams had a knife and was lurking around her home.
Williams was unresponsive when police tried to question him. He then ran behind an officer with a knife, as the officer’s partner fired the first shot.
Williams would jump through a window and hide behind an ottoman before police kicked in the door, continuing to plead with him to drop the knife, saying they didn’t want to kill him. Williams , who continuously closes the door, can be heard telling the officers they broke into his home without a warrant. He keeps asking them to identify themselves, as they have, and back up.
After a tasing, police fired several shots are fired from the doorway.
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Channel 2 Action News reached out to District Attorney Sherry Boston’s office and the DeKalb County Police Department for comment.
DeKalb Police:
“DeKalb County’s administrative personnel internal affairs investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of Mr. Matthew Zadok Williams is ongoing and not yet concluded. Once concluded, the results of the investigation will be thoroughly reviewed and handled in a manner that complies with DeKalb County police departmental procedures and applicable law. The criminal investigation is being handled by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the office of the DeKalb County District Attorney.”
DeKalb District Attorney’s Office
“This matter remains open and under investigation. Upon completion of our review, we will make a determination regarding the appropriate prosecutorial course of action based on the facts, evidence, relevant law, and circumstances associated with the case. Employment determinations remain within the authority of the respective law enforcement agency.”
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