Family holds protest for man killed in Jackson police shooting
JACKSON, Tenn. — Family members and residents gathered at the Jackson-Madison County Library Tuesday to honor a man shot and killed by police earlier this month.
Jermaine Cole lost his life following an officer-involved shooting with the Jackson Police Department on February 1.
According to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, officers with JPD responded to the 400 block of Lafayette Street in front of the Jackson-Madison County Library after receiving information about a man with a gun. Cole was pronounced dead after he was taken to a local hospital.
Family seeks answers
Cole’s mother, Darlene Snowden Cole, said her son had mental health issues but was fun-loving and would do anything for anyone if he could. She said she doesn’t understand why this happened to her son and that there needs to be change.
“It’s time for them to start to try to understand the mentally ill. They don’t ask for that, but it happens to them and they need help. When they are crying out for help, help them. Don’t kill them. Help them,” Darlene Snowden Cole said.
Cole’s aunt, Angela Snowden, was with him when the incident occurred and said all Cole needed was help. Snowden said she wants JPD to answer why this happened.
“Why didn’t you try to help first before you killed him? Why didn’t you try to solve it a different way and then take him to jail? That’s my problem with this. Why did y’all go full out and come back mode? He needed care not come back,” Angela Snowden said.
Snowden said the situation has left her traumatized.
The shooting remains under investigation by the TBI and a Jackson Police Department internal investigation is still open. Cole’s family said they have not heard from JPD since this occurred.
The TBI said there is no additional information available at this time when contacted for updates on their investigation.
According to Deputy Chief Gary Benton with JPD, the department plans to release the names of the officers involved in this shooting sometime next week. No disciplinary actions have been taken because the investigation is still open.
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