Family friends speak about the man fatally shot by PBC Sheriff's deputies

SUBURBAN WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Those who knew Christopher Thompson spoke out on Saturday to  try and give the public a better understanding of who Thompson was before he was shot and killed by a Palm Beach County Sheriff's deputy.

Investigators said Thompson was in the parking lot of a credit union near the intersection of Davis Road and Summit Boulevard Friday. Deputies said a teller spotted Thompson walking around with a rifle.

When deputies arrived, investigators said gunfire was exchanged. Investigators say Thompson shot first, the deputies fired in self defense and delivered the shot that killed Thompson.

Thompson's family can't believe what happened. "They're obviously stunned, they're heartbroken and they're grieving and they don't have any answers as to what happened within the last 24 hours," said Marco Gonzalez, a family friend.

Gonzalez, an attorney,  spoke on behalf of Thompson's family because he said they are too shaken by what has occurred.

Gonzalez said he is shocked by what happened, does not understand it and said Thompson was a normal kid who had aspirations of going to college.

Gonzalez said nothing tipped the family off about what was going to happen. But Gonzalez said Thompson's mom did receive a phone call from her son just prior to the shooting.

"The last time he had spoke with his mom, he simply told her that he loved her. And then within hours, she was getting the terrible news that he had passed away," said Gonzalez.

Thompson's family will now continue to work to figure out what happened and why.

WPTV NewsChannel 5 tried speaking with Thompson's family at his home to get a better understanding of what he was like as a person.

They did not want to speak, but one family member commented off camera and said Thompson was a great kid who will be missed.