ORLANDO, Fla. — Questions remain unanswered for an Orlando family, after a man, identified as Derek Diaz was shot and killed by an Orlando police office the day before the Fourth of July.

Now, aided by civil rights attorney Ben Crump, the family is demanding a clearer picture of what led to that deadly encounter. 

What You Need To Know

  • The shooting happened after 1 o'clock Monday morning July 3, near the intersection of Jefferson St and N Orange Avenue

  • Orlando Police Chief Eric Smith says FDLE is investigating the shooting now, and body camera footage could take up to a month before it's made available

  • Chief Smith says drugs were found at the scene, however, a firearm has not been recovered

  • The officer is on administrative leave until the investigation is complete

“Release the video” are the only words Derek Diaz’s mother could say as she and his other loved one's demanded answers Saturday morning. Diaz was shot and killed by an Orlando police officer in the early morning hours of July 3, after police Chief Eric Smith said Diaz was stopped for allegedly engaging in drug activity.

"The suspect disobeyed the command given by the officer and made a movement as to retrieve a firearm. One officer shot the suspect who was an adult Hispanic male. The suspect was transported to the hospital and pronounced deceased,” said Chief Smith.

Diaz’s family held a press conference with attorney Crump expressing their desire to learn more about what led to the shooting that killed him; calling on OPD to be transparent and at least allow family members to view the body camera footage while the investigation continues.

“It’s infuriating when we look at families and they say, why can’t we see what happened to our loved one,” said Crump. “And they come up with arbitrary reasons to delay, delay, delay,” he said referring to police.

During the press conference, Crump said this is why taxpayers pay for body cameras, so that when things like this happen, law enforcement can be held accountable, and the people can make the judgment for themselves on whether or not an officer was justified when taking someone’s life. He shared that he believes if the roles were reversed, the video would already be released.

“The police release video quick when they have a person from the community doing something that’s questionable. They will release that video. The only time they won’t release videos is when it’s them who are doing something questionable,” he said.

Chief Smith says he has watched the video and that it shows what he described to the media, which is Derek allegedly moving as if he were reaching for a firearm. However, the investigation is in the hands of FDLE now, which is why officials say the video could take up to a month before it is available.

Chief Smith did share that drugs were recovered from the incident involving Diaz, but a firearm has not been recovered at this time.

Attorney Crump made a second stop Saturday afternoon in Ocala, as he is representing the family of Ajike (AJ) Owens as well.