PHOENIX — A family said they want justice after their loved one was shot and killed by Phoenix police officers.
“We just spoke to him a couple of days ago, and now he is gone,” said Ikran Aden. She is the niece of 34-year-old Ali Osman. Police said it was Saturday evening in Central Phoenix when officers driving near 19th Avenue and Tuckey Lane when their cruiser was hit by rocks.
Officers turned around and say they saw Osman continuing to throw the rocks at them. They reportedly asked Osman to stop, but when he didn't, both officers fired their weapons, hitting him. He was taken to the hospital, where he died from his wounds.
“The whole thing just makes no sense to me," said Osman's close friend Loay Alyousfi. "He didn’t deserve this.”
When asked how they would describe Osman, Aden said, “He just wanted to help everybody in the world.” Osman's sister Halima Osman adding “A loving person also.”
They also said Osman suffered from mental illness and was in Phoenix for treatment.
The family has now hired attorney Quacy Smith to represent them in a lawsuit against the Phoenix Police Department. Saying this shooting was unjustified.
“This should not have resulted in Ali's death," Smith said. "There were several things that could have been done.”
A spokesperson with the Phoenix Police Department said the size of the rocks thrown and where Osman allegedly got them are still under investigation but will be revealed along with body camera footage from that night two weeks after the shooting.
At this time, both officers are on leave.
While there are still so many questions, those closest to Osman say they are not giving up.
“Till my last dollar is in my bank account to fight for him," Alyousfi said. "I don't care what I have to do, I'll do everything for Ali, and we will get justice.”
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