The shooting death of 19-year-old Zachary Hammond in a drug sting will be reviewed by the Department of Justice's civil rights division and the FBI as the family calls for the release of a police dashcam video of the incident in Seneca, South Carolina.
Hammond was on a date on July 26 with a woman, identified as Tori Morton of Pickens, when Seneca police rushed at his car in the parking lot of a Hardee's fast-food restaurant,
reported the Greenville News, because Morton was suspected of selling marijuana.
Police said Hammond reacted with erratic driving that threatened officers and Police Lt. Mark Tiller reportedly fired two shots, killing Hammond,
said Charleston's The Post and Courier.
Hammond's parents have questioned the story of authorities, reported the Post and Courier, and an incident report said Morton was only arrested for simple possession of marijuana, noted the News.
Both the family and news media have called for the release of the dashcam video.
Ronnie Richter, the parents' attorney, said the DOJ review "should be good for all the parties involved."
Eric Bland, another attorney for the Hammonds, said his clients' case is finally getting traction in the public, said the News.
"The family feels that somebody is finally paying attention to the death of their son," he said
"The dashcam video is what it is," said Bland. "It's going to show what it shows. It may answer some questions. It may beget some questions. But it's not going to change. Nobody can modify it. Nobody can delete it. Nobody can add to it."
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