LAKE CITY, Fla. -- A family is left searching for answers after Jeramey Sweeny, 30, was shot dead by veteran Lake City police officers.
Police tell Action News they were responding to a disturbance call. As they walked up the stairs of the apartment complex on South West Windsong Circle, they were met with a gun. That's when officers fired, killing him.
Sweeny's dad fights back tears thinking about the tragedy. His son is the second child he's had to say goodbye to.
"He's dead and he's my son. He's dead now," said Randy Sweeny. "If you knew him he's the star of my life I mean I love the kid."
A good kid with a heart of gold, Randy says what happened in the wee hours of the morning Jeramey never saw coming.
"He was laid on the bedroom passed out on the floor and the ex-boyfriend's brother had beaten him up badly."
Dad says that's when Jeramey's live-in girlfriend called 911. He believes police were responding to help him, but ended up taking his life.
"He got up he grabbed his gun I don't know why he did but he got his gun went out the door and as soon as he was going out the door he was cocking it and as soon as he walked out the door he was shot dead," Randy said.
Jeramey's step-father questions what type of protocol is in place for officers.
"There was no protocol," said Marc Mysels. "There was no hey we're the police knock on the door saying hey were the police and no hey drop your gun and to me that's the protocol before you just fire some shots."
All three officers involved have been placed on paid administrative leave during the investigation. Lake City Police confirms to Action News there was some type of altercation prior to the shooting, but would not release any more details. The FDLE tells Action News they are assisting and the investigation could take months.
