FLORIDA CITY, FLA. (WSVN) - - The family of a man killed by Florida City Police officers are demanding details and transparency on the shooting investigation.
Juvan Simon, 23, was shot and killed by police on May 30. However, Simon’s family members want more information.
Family members said reports that Simon was armed are false and that Florida City Police officer France Hardy fired his weapon through the door of an apartment, hitting Simon and killing him.
Family members are also concerned about periods of time that seem to be missing from the surveillance video that shows police and Simon in the area before the shooting.
“Now, who did that and why, we do not know,” said lawyer Christopher Marlowe. “When a life has been taken, we have to ask those questions.”
The family is suing the State Attorney’s Office and Florida City in an effort to get answers about the evidence and who’s investigating.
“Answers to the question of why we don’t have more answers,” said Marlowe. “They want answers to why it is OK to fire a service weapon through a closed door without a defined target on the other side.”
Attorneys said their requests have been denied so far.
“So why we’re here today is to find out precisely who is running this investigation,” said Marlowe. “Who is in charge of it? What exactly are they looking for, and are they treating the death of this young man, their son, with the same level of importance that it would be if this shooting did not involve a police officer?”
“It’s not right. Someone’s gotta pay for it,” said Youseline Pierre Simon, Simon’s mother. “It was 13 minutes on the floor until he passed away.”
7News has reached out to the State Attorney’s Office and Florida City for comment. So far, there has been no response from the city.
Meanwhile, the State Attorney’s Office indicated the investigation is still in the hands of Miami-Dade Police with a statement that read in part, “Once their investigation is complete, they will provide their investigative materials to the State Attorney’s Office for legal review.”
But the family is tired of waiting.
“Nobody tried to help my son,” said Levi Simon, Simon’s father.
“I just want justice for my child,” added his mother.
According to the family’s attorney, the officer who fired the fatal gunshot is still on the force.
The family also said any information they’re able to gather about the investigation will be used in a wrongful death lawsuit.
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