Rochester, N.Y. - Family members of a man shot to death by a Rochester police officer Thursday night say they are prepared to take legal action against the department because they do not feel the shooting was justified.
"This has been so hard," Antonia Salters-Blackman said Saturday evening, pausing for a moment to remember her ex-husband Hayden Blackman.
When police arrived at Hayden's apartment on Columbia Avenue Thursday night they say they were met by his 12-year-old step-daughter. As the officers moved into the doorway of the building they found Hayden Blackman holding a knife near his 16-year-old stepson.
Officers told Hayden to drop the knife several times and when he turned toward them, they fired several shots.
Blackman was pronounced dead at Strong Hospital at 12:10 a.m. Friday.
"He was a good guy, no two ways about it, he really was," Antonia added.
Antonia says she does not believe Officer Randy Book needed to use deadly force to get the situation under control that night.
"When you fire five shots at someone my thinking is you are shooting to kill. In my opinion, shooting to stop someone is one or two bullets," Antonia went on to say.
But Police Chief James Shepard defends Officer Book's actions and says he did the right thing.
City Councilman Adam McFadden said he wants there to be a thorough investigation into the matter.
"When you're home, you don't expect to be shot in your house, so hopefully we'll get some facts about what occurred," said McFadden who also chairs the Public Safety Committee.
An internal criminal investigation is now underway. The officer involved in the shooting is on administrative leave until the investigation is complete.
