CHICAGO — The mother of a man shot and killed by police on the Far South Side Tuesday night — after allegedly pointing a gun at officers — called his death "senseless" and said investigators have left her in the dark about the circumstances of the shooting.
Darius Cole-Garrit, 21, was shot and killed by police Tuesday near his home in the 13300 block of South Forrestville Avenue, authorities said.
Police said they were called about an armed man on a bicycle in the area about 9:35 p.m. They approached Cole-Garrit when they spotted someone matching the description.
"The subject got off his bicycle and reached into his waistband and pulled out a semi automatic handgun," police said in a statement. "The offender then attempted to flee as he turned and pointed the weapon in the direction of the officers. As a result of this action, the officers discharged their weapons striking the offender."
Cole-Garrit died on the scene.
His mother, Susie Garrit, rushed outside after she found out from a relative that her son had been shot. She said she was in shock when she saw his bike under a police car and his body a few feet away.
"I broke down. [Family members] had to literally help me stand up," Garrit said. "The police didn't want to answer any questions. They made me feel like it wasn't even my son. When you lose a kid that's the worst thing you can lose. None of the officers understood that ... I felt disrespected."
While Susie Garrit denied that her son had a weapon, police said a gun was found on the scene.
"That's sad to shoot him like that. They didn't have to shoot to kill," Garrit said. "The police killed my son. It was a senseless death."
Cole-Garrit had a 1-year-old daughter and lived in Indiana, Wisconsin and Minnesota over the last few years while searching for a steady job to help provide for her, his family said.
"He didn't care about nothing besides his kid. He just wanted to provide for her," said Eddie Brown, a cousin of Cole-Garrit.
"My son was a good kid. He really was," Garrit said.
The Independent Police Review Authority is investigating the shooting.
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