Family of Richmond man killed in officer-involved shooting speaks out

RICHMOND, Calif. (KGO) -- Richard Perez's family says last Sunday's shooting was unjust and they want the officer involved prosecuted.

Friends and family of 24-year-old Perez, also known as Pedie, gathered at Nicholl Park in Richmond for his funeral Saturday and are demanding justice for his death.

"I raised my son well, he had respect for the law," Rick Perez said.

Rick says his son didn't have to die last Sunday after getting into a confrontation with a Richmond police officer at Uncle Sams Liquors.

"He's only guilty of one thing that night and that was being intoxicated," Rick said.

The Perez family held a news conference after their son's funeral along with their attorney John Burris.

Police say 31-year-old Wally Jensen, a 6-year veteran of the force, saw Perez at the liquor store acting belligerent. When the officer asked Perez to sit on the sidewalk while a records check could be done, Perez allegedly attacked the officer and tried to grab his gun. The officer fearing for his life is accused of shooting Perez three times, killing him.

Police say they have surveillance video that will prove the shooting was justified.

John Burris wants the officer prosecuted and says witness accounts contradict the officer's story.

"The most damnable aspect of this to me, is this claim that he reached for the officer's gun as a basis to justify the shooting. That is a bold-faced lie," Burris said.

Police Chief Chris Magnus was invited to attend the news conference, but did not and released a statement saying,"As chief of police, I am committed to the greatest degree of transparency possible involving this critical incident."

Jensen remains on paid leave during the D.A's investigation, while a grieving family is demanding justice.

"I always thought stuff like this only happened to other people. I always thought the lottery only happens to other people, well I did not win the lottery here," Rick said.