BENBROOK, Texas — Kenneth Woods died after being shot by Benbrook police outside his apartment eight days ago.
His fiancée Keiyana Hamilton says he was experiencing mental difficulties that morning.
“He wanted some help, and he ended up gone,” Hamilton said.
Hamilton, his mother Bernadette Williams and the family’s attorneys called Thursday for the release of body camera footage, or to at least be allowed to see it.
“We want to be able to see or hear what happened – his last moments,” Hamilton said.
The family says requests to see the body camera footage have been denied.
“Throughout this country, in Dallas County, if something like this happens, the video is released,” said Larry Taylor, one of the family’s attorneys. “So why is Benbrook and Tarrant County any different than the rest of the country, and why are they holding on to it for so long? At this juncture, typically, law enforcement would invite the family to come sit down and view the video.”
The Texas Rangers are investigating Woods’ death. They did not respond to a request for comment.
Benbrook Police Chief David Babcock said in a statement that “any release of video or 911 audio, at this stage of the investigation” is the decision of the Rangers.
According to a statement issued by police after the shooting, a woman in the apartment told police she was in an apartment with several young children and her adult son, who was refusing to allow her and the children to leave the apartment.
The statement said that, while officers were on the scene, Woods fired gunshots inside the apartment. It said that Woods, armed with a handgun, jumped from a second floor window.
Hamilton and the family’s attorneys say Woods called 911 that morning for help.
“His exact words that morning that he kept reiterating to his family was that he was not feeling like himself,” said attorney Dimitri Dube.
The family says Woods didn’t own a gun and that they didn’t see him with a gun that morning.
“I didn't really see anything,” Hamilton said. “I just really heard them come in the door. I heard gunfire. I heard a lot of banging and then silence, and then more gunshots.”
Taylor said the body camera video would provide answers to the family and to the public.
Babcock said in an email that the statement issued after the shooting is “accurate information.” That statement referenced Wood having a gun.
Hamilton called Woods the love of her life. She says they have two kids and one on way that he will never meet.