The mother of Aaron Rainey spoke with NBC10’s Yukare Nakayama about her son who was struggling with his mental health when he was shot by a Philadelphia police officer after he walked into traffic on Thursday.
A mother is speaking out on the police shooting that ended her son's life as new video shows the moments leading up to him being taken into a police van after he walked into traffic on Thursday.
His mother identified him as Aaron Rainey and authorities said he was killed on March 20 after he grabbed an officer's gun and fired at him.
That officer was saved by his bulletproof vest.
Officers were taking Rainey to the Friends Hospital in the Crescentville section of Northeast Philadelphia when they said he started having a mental health episode just before the encounter.
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"My son is going to be truly missed. He’s going to be truly missed," Rainey's mother Tonya Kersey told NBC10.
Kersey described her oldest son as a protector, a good father and someone who helped others.
She explained that Rainey had been dealing with mental health struggles for several years and it got worse recently, but she never expected to lose him this way.
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"He was a good guy. He did not deserve to be shot dead. All he was trying to do is try to go to Friends Hospital to see if they could help him," Kersey said.
According to the Philadelphia Police Department, officers got a call of a man walking into traffic naked a little before 12:30 p.m. near Torresdale and Princeton avenues.
Then, a couple of minutes later, surveillance video captured officers approaching Rainey before escorting him to a police van.
Police said that Rainey was having a mental breakdown and voluntarily got into the van to seek help.
“This is an innocent situation where the officers are just moving an individual who wants to get treatment. Unfortunately, it turns into a very tragic situation," Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel said.
Two officers drove him to the Friends Hospital for treatment, but when they arrived Rainey allegedly turned and attacked the officers.
During the struggle, police claimed that Rainey was able to get his hands on a gun.
“There was an exchange of gunfire between the individual who now has the police officer’s weapon and his partner. That individual, my officer, was then struck in his bullet proof vest," Bethel said.
The vest saved the officer's life and his partner shot Rainey, killing him.
Kersey told NBC10 that she believes more could have been done to avoid this fatal situation. She wants other parents to open their hearts when they see their kids struggling.
“If you have someone in your family who has mental issues, do not turn a blind eye. Find out what's going on," she said.
The officer who survived the shooting is 30-years-old and a six-year veteran of the Philadelphia police force, according to Bethel. His partner is 37-years-old and a 10-year veteran.
Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5 President Roosevelt Poplar released a statement regarding the incident:
"Each and everyday our officers leave their homes and loved ones never knowing if they will return safely at the end of their shift. Thankfully, our officer’s tactical vest prevented serious injury or death.
Our injured officer and his partner represent the very best of the Philadelphia police department and we’re thankful for their bravery, integrity, and commitment to serve our great city with the utmost professionalism.
As we pray for a full recovery following this traumatic encounter, the FOP will continue to work with both officers, their families and colleagues in the 15th district."
