The family of Mr. Joseph Ejeh, a US-based Internet Technology (IT) guru killed by the police in Washington, has faulted the picture of their son painted by the police and the circumstances leading to his death.

As reported by News Express on Wednesday, December 20, the King County Police in Washington, USA, claimed in a statement that Ejeh, who hailed from Benue State in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, was armed and acted in a threatening manner, hence he had to be gunned down.

It said: “According to the preliminary investigation, the Bellevue Police Department was dispatched to the area of the 15500 Block of Main Street around 6:35 PM on December 5, 2023, for a report of a man walking around with a knife out. Several Bellevue PD officers arrived in the area to contact the subject. Upon arrival at least one Bellevue PD Officer contacted the subject, who was reported to be a 44-year-old male. At some point the male advanced on the officer holding a knife in his hand. The officer then fired his weapon, striking the man. First AID and CPR was administered by the officers on scene and the fire department was called in. Unfortunately, the male was pronounced decease at the scene.

“The Bellevue PD Officer who fired his weapon has been placed on administrative leaving pending this investigation.”

Disagreeing with the police claims, the Ejeh family said in a statement obtained by News Express: “The circumstances are totally out of character with our Joseph and secondly, his name was in the news the week before we even heard about it.”

Below is the full statement dated December 14, 2023 and signed by Emmanuel Ogebe, Barrister-at-law and counselor to the Ejeh family:

“STATEMENT ON REPORTED DEATH OF INDIVIDUAL IDENTIFIED AS OUR SON/BROTHER IN SEATTLE, USA POLICE SHOOTING

“The Ejeh family of Benue State Nigeria received information concerning a police-involved fatal incident purportedly involving our son/brother in Seattle, Washington State, USA.

“While we have received no official notification, a detective from King’s County Sheriff stated to us this possibility the day before yesterday (Tuesday, December 12, 2023).

“However, we’re perplexed at media reports identifying the victim of this shooting as our son/brother firstly, because the circumstances are totally out of character with our Joseph and secondly, his name was in the news the week before we even heard about it.

“At this time, we are not aware of a positive identification by the family and will approach the US and Nigerian governments to facilitate our ability to do so. We have tried unsuccessfully to reach Joseph to determine if this is all just a horrid mistake.

“We ask the prayers of all as we deal with a difficult situation at what was supposed to be a festive season of the year.”

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