Jay Anderson's parents want answers about their son's death: "You never want to see that with your child"
WAUWATOSA -- A police officer shot and killed their son in a Wauwatosa park in June. Now, Jay Anderson's parents are pleading for an explanation. Specifically, they want details about a key piece of evidence they say is missing.
In many departments, police video is activated when lights and sirens are turned on. But that was not the case when a Wauwatosa officer approached Anderson in Madison Park on June 23rd.
That means details about the exchange between the two and why the officer felt he feared for his safety may not event exist on camera.
Jay Anderson Sr.
"It showed the officer shooting my son," said Jay Anderson Sr.
The horrifying image of his son being shot replays in his mind.
"That's terrible. That is something I have to live with for the rest of my life. You never want to see that with your child. It's really disturbing," Anderson Sr. said.
It is painful for Anderson to watch video of his son's death by a Wauwatosa police officer. But he says not knowing why his son was killed is even worse.
Parents of Jay Anderson
"Knowing the type of person my son was, we know he would never do anything to harm a police officer. So that is why it's so hard for us right now. We want answers," Anderson Sr. said.
The Andersons met with officials with the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office. Family members are not satisfied after that conversation.
"We were privy to all the statements from the cop and just the statements and the coroner's report basically. But they just keep showing us the 20-second video. We want to see more video; see what transpired," Anderson Sr. said.
"We want to see how much time the police officer had to walk around the car. We want to see him knocking on the window twice," said Linda Anderson, Jay's mother.
Officials with the DA's Office told FOX6 News the issue is no video prior to the shooting seems to exist. The officer managed to turn the video on at the tail end of his interaction with Anderson -- after shots were fired -- which allowed only 20 seconds to record.
Linda Anderson
"I think from the report he said he tried several times. If you couldn't get your audio on, you should have waited for backup," Anderson Sr. said.
Madison Park officer-involved shooting
Officials with the DA's Office say they reached out to the FBI to see if FBI officials can analyze the video. But they're not sure if it can be expanded.
Video from nearby buildings seems to only show the vehicles entering the park -- and not the interaction.
New details may come to light when the dispatch call is released. It could include the officer speaking about what he observed -- and asking for assistance.
Jay Anderson