Family of teen fatally shot by deputy holds news conference
DOWNTOWN JACKSON — The family of Dillon McGee, who was fatally shot by a Madison County deputy last month, are launching their own investigation into what happened to the 18-year-old. On Tuesday, Dillon’s father, Chad McGee, made an emotional plea for help from the community. He asks the community to wait until the investigation is complete before passing judgment. “They want justice. They want truth. They want fairness,” McGee family attorney Jeff Rosenblum said. “They want to know what happened to their son on September 26, 2014.” On Sept., 26, investigators said deputies were questioning McGee and his friend, Robert Aspiranti, when McGee accelerated toward a deputy. One deputy then fired a shot, killing him. “I kept calling him, and no response on his phone, and I heard all the cops and stuff and I had no idea it was him,” Chad said. Chad said Dillon’s death has devastated his family. Dillon left behind seven siblings, a fiancee and a one-month-old son. “We don’t want to just take the words of two officers. We want an independent investigation,” Chad said. “We want the truth and we can live with the truth, if the truth is what they say.” Rosenblum said a statement by Sheriff John Mehr three days after the shooting prompted the family’s request for an independent investigation. Mehr stated the deputy had a right to fire his weapon. “We want to see if the forensic work that’s done, the ballistic work that’s done, is consistent with these statements,” Rosenblum said. “We want to see if the story makes sense and if it adds up. Mehr said he stands by the statement he made. However, he declined to comment further.
