The family of Jason Walker, a Black man shot and killed by an off-duty sheriff’s deputy, is demanding answers in the aftermath of his death.
On Thursday (Jan. 13), a North Carolina judge granted the release of body camera footage filmed after Walker was shot by off-duty Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Jeffrey Hash on Saturday (Jan. 8).
According to NBC News, Fayetteville Police Chief Gina Hawkins asked that the footage be released and Senior Resident Superior Court Judge Jim Ammons approved the request “in the interest of justice.” Hawkins says the footage shows exchanges between police officers and three witnesses who were at the scene of the shooting.
According to police, 37-year-old Walker “ran into traffic and jumped on a moving vehicle” that was driven by Hash. The lieutenant shot Walker and then called 911.
“A male jumped on my vehicle and broke my windshield. I just shot him,” Hash said in the 911 call. He also identified himself as “a lieutenant with the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office.”
Walker, a single father to a teenage son, was pronounced death at the scene.
Hash claims he shot Walker in “self-defense” after he allegedly jumped on his car. However, many in the community are now demanding more answers and transparency from the police department. Civil rights attorney Ben Crump is representing the man’s family.
“There are a lot of reasons why Black children have to grow up without their fathers, but this reason is unacceptable,” Crump said in a press conference on Thursday. “This is unacceptable that we have to tell that young boy that his father was shot unnecessarily, unjustifiably and unconstitutionally by somebody who was supposed to protect and serve him.”
On Sunday (Jan. 9), Walker’s family and community members held a demonstration demanding justice in his death. George Floyd’s brother, Philonise, also attended the rally.