29-year-old Jair Flores is recovering from being shot with rubber bullets 12 times by police officers. He was reportedly at home at the corner of Amara and King Streets when the cops came looking for him. He refused to go along with them, but when he ran, the officers opened fire on his back and head. His father lamented the use of excessive force, saying that they could have aimed for his feet instead. We spoke to him this evening.
Errol Swift, Father of Shooting Victim
"I got the understanding that the police went to look for my son and when they got at the yard they told my son that they wanted him on a PI. My son said he didn't do anything, so he look like he ran out of his mom yard going into his yard, because he lives across the street from his mom."
"They told me that the police took his pump gun and shot up the man all in his head, neck, back and I want to know why the police used such force. I want answers as to why they shot him like that."
Reporter
"Does you son has any previous history in any gang violence or anything like that?"
Errol Swift, Father of Shooting Victim
"My son from day one, was with the Meighans' - I don't know, but he lives aroud there, so I am assuming that. I don't know if that has anything to do with it why the police.... I don't know, because I do not live around there. I want some answers."
"I called Dickie Bradley and I told him about it, he is in Stann Creek and when he comes down he will take it over from here. Monday I am going to Internal Affairs to deal with them and then we will see where it goes from there."
"We haven't gotten the invoice from hospital yet to see how much we will have to pay, but the amout of bullet in his is 12. 12 bullet holes. I have it right here to show you."
"The police have to do better than that. We respect the police, but they have to do do better than that. I will not say the police are bad people, but sometimes they have to use their mental. You could judge say if will need force to take down a man and if it need force then use force, you have his leg that you could have shot him, not in his head and his back. People would want to work with the police and give them information, but they are afraid for them."
Flores is still detained.
