LODI, CA - Lodi's police chief said he's so frustrated by misinformation in the community regarding a fatal police shooting last January, he's offering police department information before the official investigation is completed.
"The misinformation that's out there has taken on a life of its own. I felt it was important to get out the facts," Chief of Police Mark Helms said.
It was Jan. 25 when police were called for help by the family of Parminder Shergill, an Army veteran with post traumatic stress disorder. The 911 call released by police includes "my brother in law, paranoid schizophrenic and he's going crazy. He's yelling, he's attacking my mother in law."
Another recording released by police contains a radio call by an officer who located Shergill. "He has a knife in his right hand, he's refusing my commands," is heard on the recording."
A moment later, Shergill was shot and killed.
Helms said the family and the attorney they hired have painted an inaccurate picture of Shergill's behavior and the police response.
"He's ( the attorney ) made insinuations our officers pulled a knife from his pocket, opened it, and placed it next to his body, which is absurd," Helms said.
Relatives of Shergill said on Monday they still don't believe their loved one was dangerous or armed that day. Asked if police were lying, Kulbinder and Aman Sohota said, "I believe so, I believe so, yes."
Kulbinder is the sister of Shergill and Aman is a nephew.
Helms said the full investigation is still several weeks from being presented to the San Joaquin County district attorney for further analysis.
