(Memphis) The family of a man who was shot and killed by Memphis Police officers Thursday night wants answers.
“This is probably the worst thing I’ve ever had to deal with,” said Sylvia Askew.
Askew said it was her son, Steven Askew, 24, who was shot and killed in the parking lot of the Windsor Place Apartments.
“We just want facts. We just left the coroner and they won’t let me see him, they won’t let us identify him,” she said.
Askew said the family did hear from a Memphis police detective who said their son was identified as the victim Friday morning.
Memphis police were dispatched to the apartment complex at Knight Arnold and Mendenhall around 9:50 p.m. Thursday on a loud music disturbance call.
When officers arrived, they said they saw a man slumped over the wheel in his car and they went to check on the man.
According to Memphis police Sgt. Alyssa Macon-Moore, the man then pulled out a gun. Officers immediately opened fire, killing him.
Several neighbors heard the gunshots.
“I opened up the door. I came out. They were standing there with guns,” said Quincy Richards who lives in the apartment complex.
He didn’t hear the loud music which led to the initial call..
The victim’s father, Sterling Askew, said his son worked at his auto body shop and described him as loyal and hard working. News Channel 3 checked, and Steven Askew does not have a criminal record in Shelby County.
“I’m going to get justice, I’m going to get justice,” he said.
The Askews are having a hard time believing that their son pulled a gun on an officer when he has no criminal past. They said they have not been able to see their son’s body.
“They are saying that I shouldn’t see his body, the way it is. So that means something really bad happened and if they will not let me see him, what is that? Are they covering something up,” said Sylvia Askew.
So far, police haven’t released the identity of the officers involved in the incident. As is the case in all shootings involving police, the officers involved will be relieved of duty with pay until the investigation is complete.
