Armed Man Killed By San Jose Officers Was 'Good Kid' With Problems, Says Family
SAN JOSE (KPIX 5) – The family of a young man shot and killed by San Jose police Wednesday afternoon says he should have not been described as an intruder.
Police responded to a 911 call and found the man identified as Phillip Watkins breaking into the home in the 1300 block of Sherman Street. Watkins' family says he used to live there with his ex-girlfriend.
When he came face-to-face with two officers on the sidewalk, they ordered him to drop a knife he was allegedly carrying, but he refused, according to police.
"They ordered him to drop the weapon, he did not… they fired from their duty weapon, striking him at least one time," said Officer Heather Randol.
Watkins was pronounced dead at the hospital.
Watkins' father says his son recently moved out at the house shared with his mom and his ex-girlfriend's mom because of problems with his ex. Watkins has a daughter with his ex who also lives at the house.
"He knew the house very well, so I don't think he was an intruder," said his father Norman Watkins. "But that's the information supposedly that the officers got from the 911 call. And I haven't heard that at all."
Watskin' mother-in-law Faye Buchanan said she invited him in and that no one in the house feared for their life.
"His daughter watched the police shoot him down," Buchanan said. "They didn't have to do that. They could've tased this young man. I'm screaming, begging telling you he needs help. Please help him. Don't shoot."
The 23-year-old worked at Walmart and played football for De Anza College. His family says he was distraught over the relationship, but was a good kid who was trying to get his life back together.
"We are currently interviewing witnesses and trying to piece together what happened," said Randol.
