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Family Demands Answers In Police Shooting Of FL Church Drummer, Cousin Of 49er Anquan Boldin

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) -- Family members are demanding answers in the shooting death of a church drummer shot and killed by a plainclothes police officer in Florida.

Family members say they knew something was wrong when Corey Jones didn't show up for Sunday church services at the Bible Church of God where his grandfather serves as bishop. The 31-year old Jones is the first cousin of San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Anquan Boldin.

"Anything you need, Corey would be right there," said Jones's aunt, Dale Banks. "If you needed his shirt, he would give you his shirt. He would be cold just to keep you warm."

According to reports, after leaving a gig in Jupiter, Florida early Sunday morning, Jones' SUV broke down on an Interstate 95 exit ramp. A bandmate met him along the roadside, but after he couldn't help restart the car, Jones called his roadside assistance and his friend headed home.

Just after 3:00 a.m., a police officer arrived in an unmarked squad car.

In a statement on Facebook, the Palm Beach Gardens Police Department said, "Nouman Raja, on-duty in a plain clothes capacity, in an unmarked police vehicle, stopped to investigate what he believed to be an abandoned vehicle... as the officer exited his vehicle he was suddenly confronted by an armed subject. As a result of the confrontation, the officer discharged his firearm resulting in the death of the subject."

The Palm Beach Gardens Police Facebook page has since been disabled.

An unnamed source told the Palm Beach Post the altercation might have been a misunderstanding because Raja was in plainclothes and driving an unmarked car.

Family members said it was not like Jones to be armed and didn't think he owned a gun. Palm Beach Gardens police have not said what type of weapon Jones allegedly had, but a woman identified as Jones' aunt Serena Banks told the Post she believed Corey had a gun permit and a gun, but would never use it.

"I remember him saying that, but Corey would never pull out a gun on anyone, and never on an officer," Banks told the Post.

Jones was a graduate of the University of Akron, Ohio and worked for the Delray Beach Housing Authority.

"Its big blow, a big blow... It hurt man, it hurts so bad," said his cousin Tre Banks III.

 

Officer Raja joined the force in April. The 38 year-old officer was not wearing a body camera and none of the department's squad cars are fitted with dashboard cameras.

With no cameras-- and no known witnesses, his family wants answers.

"He grew up on the drums over there. We taught him a few things about life and about being a gentleman. We really just need to get more information," said Jones's uncle, Kenneth Terry Banks.

Officer Raja has been placed on paid administrative leave, in keeping with following departmental policy.

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