The family of 28-year-old Michael Dean said he was out getting things ready for his daughter's birthday party Monday night, but they weren't able to get ahold of him for hours. That's when police knocked on the door with bad news, and no answers.
Around 8:15 p.m. on Monday, December 2, Michael was shot and killed by an officer with the Temple Police Department at the intersection of SE H K Dodgen Loop and Little River Road in Temple.
Now, Michael's family is pleading for any information on why police killed their loved one.
"Us as a whole, we're just looking to get answers," said Domonte Dean, Michael's older brother.
Lee Merritt, attorney for the family, said Michael was pulled over for a traffic stop when he was shot and killed.
"Every time I got off the phone with him, his last words were always, "Love you big brother,"" said Domonte.
On Friday, Michael's girlfriend, along with their two children, visited the scene where Michael was killed. They set up a memorial with flowers and pictures.
"It is difficult for any family to process the loss of a loved one. It's more difficult when the loss of a loved one takes place at the hands of the state," Miller said in a press conference.
The family said they have received no information from Temple Police about why he was shot. They have hired an attorney to get answers.
"The police department had every right to tell the family what they knew, but they chose not to, which to me implies a cover up," Miller said.
The Texas Rangers are investigating the shooting. The officer, who is a 9-year veteran with the department, has been placed on administrative leave. The officer has yet to be identified.
"We don't know anything about this officer. That's not how we treat a common criminal, and officers should be held to a higher standard, not a lower one," said Miller.
