NORFOLK, Va. - The family of the man killed by Norfolk police held a news conference Tuesday afternoon on the steps of Norfolk City Hall pleading to have some of their questions answered.
"We want answers we need answers. If he had a weapon show us that he had a weapon," said Iaisha James, the victim's niece.
The family's spokesperson, Pastor Kendrick Turner, organized the conference, along with the family of Willie James.
James, 43, was shot and killed by two Norfolk Police officers on June 2. Police said the officers were called to Chapel Street for a separate incident and then went into James' home for a domestic dispute.
Police said James was armed with a knife and threatened the officers before lunging at them. James' family says he was not armed when officers shot and killed him.
On Friday, the day after James was shot and killed in his home, Norfolk Police Chief Michael Goldsmith said it was too early in the investigation for police to talk about releasing the footage to the public. However, according to Joe Dillard, President of the Norfolk NAACP branch, he and two others have already watched the footage. Dillard would not comment on what he saw on the body camera video.
James' family is upset that police would allow the NAACP to see the footage, but not them.
"I'm not understanding that, why would the NAACP have the video, why was they able to see the video," said Iaisha.
In addition to the body camera footage, James' family also called for Chief Michael Goldsmith to be fired.
"Let someone step in that can do the job correctly," said Bernard Stanford, James' cousin.
The James family says the high number of officer involved shootings so far this year is unacceptable, which is why they are calling on the Norfolk City Manager to remove Chief Goldsmith.
News 3 reached out to the Norfolk Police Department multiple times on Tuesday to find out why they allowed three members of the NAACP to watch the footage and if they would release the body camera footage to the public. The police department did not respond to our questions.
Related:
Family, community leaders gather for man shot by Norfolk Police
Norfolk Police: Man lunged at officers with knife before he was shot, killed
Norfolk councilman addresses officer-involved shooting
Norfolk NAACP asks FBI to investigate police involved shootings
