‘He was not a threat’: California cops kill mentally ill man whose family sought help

‘The family of a mentally ill man in the throes of an “episode” called 911 seeking medication for the young man. Police in northern California responded with excessive force, killing the 25-year old amid at least 10 gunshots, the family and neighbors say.
Desmond Phillips, 25, a Sacramento native, was killed by police officers with the Chico (California) Police Department on March 17. The officers forced their way into the apartment of Desmond’s father, David, believing Desmond posed a threat to family members, according to reports.
As he had done twice in the past, David Phillips Sr., Desmond’s father, contacted local paramedics to help his son access medication, the family said, as Desmond has a mental disorder and was acting erratically, local news outlets have reported.
“My dad called the ambulance to come take him to the hospital so they could get him some medication,” David Phillips Jr., Desmond’s brother, told KTXL, adding that the encounter “should’ve been handled way different. They didn’t have to pull out their guns.”‘
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