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Man killed by Boston police was ‘executed,’ family says – Metro US

Man killed by Boston police was ‘executed,’ family says

The family of a man shot and killed by Boston police said officers used excessive force. Credit: velkr0/Flickr The family of a man shot and killed by Boston police said officers used excessive force. Credit: velkr0/Flickr

The family of a man shot and killed by Boston Police early Sunday claims officers used excessive force, according to the Boston Globe.

His family identified the victim to the newspaper as Ross Batista, 38.

Police were called to 76 Willowwood St. twice between 1 and 2 a.m. Sunday after witnesses reported hearing shots fired.

When officers arrived, they were told a man was shooting from a car.

Authorities said police returned fire after Batista shot at them. Batista was later pronounced dead at Boston Medical Center.

“He was executed,” Julio ­Batista, Ross Batista’s father, told the Globe. “There was no chance for him to survive those wounds.”

Batista was a graduate of Mt. Ida College who had studied architecture and renovated houses, his family said. They described him as someone who tried to make others smile.

Batista’s mother criticized the way the BPD was handling the shooting.

“No police came to my door to let me know what’s going on,” Melania Batista told the Globe. “Why? Why? They kill my son while I’ve been sleeping, and they didn’t tell me.”

Batista had numerous run-ins with law enforcement, according to the Globe, including arrests and prosecutions for drug possession.

“The community can count on a full and impartial investigation by our office,” Suffolk District Attorney Dan Conley said Sunday. “We recognize the importance of transparency in a case like this.”

The BPD Internal Affairs Unit is also investigating.

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