Family of unarmed man who police shot and killed hold march to call for better training

Family and friends of an unarmed man who was shot and killed by police in January gathered on the steps of City Hall on Saturday afternoon to march to the Des Moines Police Department headquarters. Their goal? Justice and better police training in de-escalation.

A crowd of people walked through the strong breeze protesting for better police practice in honor of Brandon Allen Mitchell, 36, who died Jan. 24 at his girlfriend's home.

Mitchell hid from police inside a closet as they attempted to arrest him on active warrants. Mitchell told police he had a gun, according to the body camera footage. Officers stepped back and a glass picture frame Mitchell was hiding behind shattered inside the closet. The officers opened fire.

The time between finding Mitchell and shooting him lasted about 20 seconds, the body camera footage showed. He moaned in the closet for about 10 minutes before officers pulled him out to administer medical aid as they waited to retrieve a shield before approaching.

More: Brandon Mitchell's girlfriend wanted police to help him. So, why did he end up dead?

They later realized he was unarmed.

The 50 to 60 people in attendance Saturday were clad in sweaters or shirts printed with pictures of Mitchell. They held neon green signs that read: “My past mistakes don’t define my humanity or my worth. I deserve dignity, respect and the chance to build a better future. Being a felon doesn’t make me dangerous or deserving of being murdered.”

The body camera footage that police released this month sparked emotions among family and friends, from sadness to disgust to straight up disbelief. Most in attendance said police should have known the difference between the thunderous sound of gunfire and the shattering of glass before shooting Mitchell.

Most, including Mitchell’s mother, Sandee Gallegos, said the shooting was unjustified. Both Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird and Polk County Attorney Kimberly Graham said the officers' actions were justified and no charges would be filed.

“We need accountability and we need justice for Brandon,” Gallegos said as she walked. “It wasn’t justified and his voice needs to be heard. We saw the video and nothing that I saw showed me it was justified.”

Gallegos said police should have used techniques to de-escalate the situation before quickly firing shots and killing her son.

“They thought it was a gun and didn’t sound like a gun at all, it sounded like glass,” said Gallegos, tearing up. “I think the officers should have known the difference and if they don’t they need better training.”

Gallegos said she was overwhelmed by the support of those who made it to the rally, knowing that Mitchell was loved and supported by so many.

“It’s very heart warming, emotional and it brings joy,” Kaycee Mitchell, Mitchell’s sister, said about the rally. “They don’t know how much this means to us and how much this heals the small portion of hurt in our hearts.”

More: Police lacked time to de-escalate in recent spike of Des Moines officer killings, DMPD says

Kaycee Mitchell hopes that police use the situation to improve training and their mindsets that not every felon is a violent person.

“We’re not seeking retaliation, we’re seeking justice,” she said. “I’m not just doing this for Brandon, I’m doing this for other people that have family they love. I’m looking for a change for everyone. People who have records are still people who are loved.”

Kaycee Mitchell said at times all she can hear is the moaning and crying of her brother after he was shot and hopes nobody else will see their loved one in the same situation.

Siblings Sarah and Garett Mitchell shared the same sentiments.

“I feel like there were a lot of other ways they could’ve gone about it,” Sarah Mitchell said. “My brother should still be alive. I hope there is change in police practice and training. They should know the difference between glass breaking and a gunshot.”

More: Des Moines police have killed six people since July. Where all the cases stand now

Garett Mitchell said police should have brought in a mediator before entering the closet to apprehend his brother.

Ashley George, the mother of three of Mitchell’s children, Trinity, 9, Landon, 11, and Trenton, 14, said their father should still be alive today if police took the right approach.

“It means a lot to me seeing so many people supporting Brandon,” George said. “Wanting to see something good to come out of something terrible is what my heart needs. I don’t want to speak ill about police, but it was clearly a mistake on their half.”

George doesn’t think police went in with the intent of killing Mitchell, but there could have been different ways to approach the situation, she said.

The reality of raising her children without their father in their lives has been difficult, she said.

“He died and he didn’t need to die,” George said. “He has children that adored him and loved him and thinking they have to live in a world without him is something that’s hard to bear every day, every night and every hour.”

Chrystal Stansbery, the mother of his son Brandon Jr.,15, said the situation is something she never thought would be a reality.

“I’d like to see this to be a learning lesson for the police going forward,” Stansbery said. “Brandon had his issues, but this is not how it should have gone down. There are other steps and measures they could have taken.”

Mitchell’s son said that he was devastated when he heard the news of his father dying.

“I feel upset because they took my dad away from me,” Brandon Mitchell Jr. said. “I’m not going to be able spend time with him anymore.”

José Mendiola is a breaking news reporter for the Register. Reach him at jmendiola@dmreg.com or follow him on X @mendiola_news.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Family of Des Moines man shot and killed by police call for training