Family of man shot and killed by Wayne police during mental health crisis wants video released

WAYNE, Mich. (FOX 2) – John Zook, Jr.’s parents want transparency. They’ve seen the video of their son Violent and deadly confrontation with Wayne police.

Now they want that video to be made public.

“You failed John. You failed our family, you failed the community. You don’t know how much damage you caused,” said John Zook Sr.

It’s been two months since John Zook Sr. lost his 40-year-old son, whom he still calls “Junior.”

“You couldn’t walk down the street without him striking up a conversation with you,” John Sr. said.

Since John Zook, Jr.’s death, his parents — and community activists — have called on the City of Wayne to release body camera video of officers responding to — and then killing — John Jr. during a mental health emergency call he made.

So far, his father, stepmother and sister have seen an edited version of the video.

“Once there was a knock on the door, he had blood on his chest, he had a knife,” John Sr. said. “Then the officer said, ‘Put the knife down. Put the knife down.'”

“He put the knife aside and said, ‘Taser, Taser, Taser.’ He was shocked twice and then immediately, in a fraction of a second, he was shot six times.”

The controversial incident has sparked a protest by community activists demanding the release of the footage.

Todd Perkins is the family’s attorney.

“There’s a certain level of distrust that’s created, even if it’s not deserved, even if it’s not real,” Perkins said. “What we’re asking the city of Wayne to do is take a step toward transparency and release the tape. Release the tape so the public knows about it. They have a right to know.”

“It’s like they’re hiding something. I don’t know if it’s the city of Wayne, the city council, the people,” said Sharon Lewis-Zook, her stepmother.

FOX 2 reached out to Wayne Mayor John Rhaesa, who told FOX 2 he will meet with his legal team before officially responding.

We are awaiting a response from Wayne Police on the status of the officers involved.

The Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office is reviewing a warrant application involving those officers.

“They were totally unprofessional,” John Sr. said. “When you’re in a scene like that, you’re supposed to act like you’re a family member. A family member — what do you do? You talk to them. You get them to talk. You get them an ambulance. You shoot them with a Taser and you shoot a family member six times, right?”

Attorney Perkins says he has filed a Freedom of Information Act request. It is now in the hands of the Michigan State Police. There is no timetable on when it will be completed.