Felicia Mitchell and Henry Bennett, Jr., say they have filed a notice of intent to sue the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office and Sheriff Ric Bradshaw in connection with the death of son Henry Bennett III.
Deputy Andrew Cano shot him in January in Belle Glade.
The sheriff's office said Bennett pointed a gun at a deputy during a foot chase following a traffic stop.
Bennett family attorney Jasmine Rand says witnesses have said that Henry did not have a gun when he was shot.
The family says PBSO has refused to release public records requests of photographs, video, and audio recordings in connection with the incident.
Rand wants the sheriff's office to release dash-cam video of the incident.
“What we want the sheriff to do today. What we’re demanding the sheriff do today is release the dash-cam video to which the parents are entitled. Show us the audio, show us the video and show us the photographs. Because, Sheriff Bradshaw, if it is as you say that their son Henry Bennett turned around and pointed a gun at Deputy Cano I won’t have to file a lawsuit six months from now," said Rand.
Rand said if the sheriff refuses the family will be forced to file a lawsuit
After the shooting the Sheriff said that Bennett has an extensive rap sheet, including aggravated assaults, possession of illegal drugs, and had been a suspect in a child abuse case in which he's had restraining orders filed against him.
Following the news conference the sheriff's office released the following statement:
As a general policy the Sheriff's Office does not comment on any legal litigation. This case was investigated for any criminal wrongdoing and officially cleared by Palm Beach County State Attorney’s Office (Dave Aronberg).
You can read the report from the Palm Beach County State Attorney here.