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.”
The Chico Police Department said Desmond was “hostile” to first responders with the Chico Fire Department who initially responded to the scene, at Desmond’s father’s home.
Police officers were then dispatched to the home.
They reported that Desmond was “pacing in a small living room area and was seen holding two knives,” Chico police Chief Michael O’Brien said, according to KTXL.
David Phillips Jr. said Desmond was holding a butter knife and a smaller knife used to cut vegetables, according to KRCR.