Irving Police Shooting Death Questioned

The family of a man shot and killed by Irving police say they strongly disagree with the officers’ version of what happened.

Conflicting stories are being told just days after Orlando Rodriguez’s death .

The 49-year-old, awakened by suspicious noises around 3:30 a.m. Saturday, was outside his mobile home in the 2700 block of West 18th Street armed with a flashlight and a BB gun.

The Irving Police Department said officers were at the scene because of multiple 911 calls about shots being fired. When they spotted Rodriguez, they allegedly identified themselves and warned him multiple times to put the gun down. When he raised it, they shot him.

“There's been no indication at this point that there was anything outside of police procedure,” said Officer David Tull.

However, family members are questioning what happened.

“The officers are saying they gave warnings identifying themselves. We have neighbors who're saying they did not identify themselves,” said Domingo Garcia, an attorney for Rodriquez’s family.

The family’s attorney said they’ve made formal requests for an independent investigation based on at least two witnesses who say the officers did not identify themselves before firing the shots that killed Rodriguez.

"We need an independent investigation from a neutral party like the FBI or Texas Rangers to see if an officer made a mistake or maybe he did not. We don't know, but at this point we have a conflict that needs to be resolved," Garcia said.

The family just wants answers, he added.

“They want to know what went wrong. They're having to come up with money for a funeral they didn't expect so it’s a difficult, trying time for them," he said.