The Santa Clara County District Attorney ruled officers acted lawfully when they shot and killed a Santa Clara man, whom they believed was suicidal and armed.
The man's family said their fight for justice is not over following the March shooting.
Amanda Sommers said it was painful to watch her son's final moments. Body camera footage shows Santa Clara police pleading with Jesus Geney to surrender on March 9.
Geney was mentally ill and police had been called to the family home four other times that day. The final confrontation came during the fifth encounter. Police believed Geney was armed and pursued him through a field behind his home. Officers ultimately shot and killed him.
When investigators said he charged an officer, the DA ruled it was a justified shooting.
Sommers said the shooting has terrorized her. She disagrees with the DA's decision, insisting the officers were never in danger.
Family and friends held a silent protest outside the DA's office on Thursday.
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Sommers is also upset that the first time she saw the police body cam video was when it was posted to Facebook.
"She was not informed. Her lawyer was not informed," said Laura Valdez, a family friend. "They just released it to the public for everyone to see."
The DA provided the following statement:
"Our hearts go out to the family. Every law enforcement contact that ends in a death is a tragedy. This is why we carefully and comprehensively review them and report our findings to the public."
Geney's family is moving forward with a federal civil rights lawsuit against Santa Clara police and several officers. The family also said every police officer needs better training to deal with the mentally ill in these types of situations.
