Anita Deporto is the mother of 44-year-old Samuel Gonzales. She sobs as she mourns the loss of her son.
"They could have just used a taser gun, they didn't have to take his life," said Deporto.
Gonzales was killed Thursday night by a Tulare officer. Deporto said Gonzales was sleeping in an abandoned house, soon after tragedy struck.
"He ran out and they told me he scuffled with the cops, but he was not doing nothing," said Deporto.
La Palma Bakery tells us two kids made a beer run at their shop Thursday night. Police say they recieved a call and caught up with the subject who fit the description. They say an altercation ensued with the subject and shots were fired.
Tulare Police say it's not yet known whether Gonzales had a gun or not. We've tried reaching them to get comment, but they have yet to respond on camera.
"My brother died out there on the street, on the curb actually. You see bloody...a bloody boot print right there," said Gonzales' sister, Stella Asevedo.
This is the second member of the family they say they've lost to an officer involved shooting. They say the other death happened during a high speed chase. Deporto lays flowers at the intersection of Kern and F Street where she believes Gonzales was shot.
"This is where he lay, and this is where he die," said Deporto.
The family says they need closure and want to know how and why Gonzales was killed.
"I want answers, find out what really happened," said Deporto.
The Tulare County Sheriff's Department is assisting with the investigation.
