JACKSON, Mich. — Best friends are weighing in on the police shooting of 29 year old Joey Ramirez in Jackson County on January 28, 2019.
One of them told us after watching newly-released police video of the shooting, it doesn't give them much justice.
The Jackson County prosecutor ruled the shooting was justified, but Ramirez's friends told us it's hard to see what exactly Joey was doing that got him killed.
"Subject hit...cleared subject hit," heard from police dispatch radio on January 28, 2019 around 2:45 AM.
"The video I don't agree with it. If I could've seen my brother open fire on the officer I could sleep better, rest in peace. We all make decision and we have to live with that but at this point the video doesn't show me anything. And as far as the prosecutors decision, I don't agree with that either," said Julio Pizano, Joey Ramirez's best friend.
Just before 3 AM on January 28, 2019 Jackson police officers responded to a domestic dispute with a woman saying Joey Ramirez was trying to break into her home.
Officers said Ramirez ran from them through the Southridge Park Townhomes, when they arrived. Audio recordings and police worn body camera footage show Ramirez shot at them.
"I've been hit," said an officer via police dispatch.
"I think that's where it all went down hill from there. When he dispatched he was hit I believe that's when it all went down and they used excessive force," said Pizano.
It turned out the officer wasn't hit by the bullets . Police said he got a minor injury from falling on a patch of ice. "You should know if you've been shot or not. If I've been shot I'm gonna feel it, I don't care how big I am but I'm going to feel it," said Pizano.
Police returned fire and killed Ramirez. Jackson County prosecutor, Jerry Jarzynka, determined the shooting was justified. Although friends told us they can't understand why.
"To me it aint justified. You don't see Joey himself they say you do, I didn't. I watched the video multiple times and I don't see Joey and I don't see Joey opening fire.I think the judge and prosecutor are full of it," Pizano.
It's that loss that those close to him are left to cling to the memories of him.
"He was life of the party. He could always brighten the room up with his smile. Everything about him was just perfect,"said Kelsey Smith, friend of Joey Ramirez.
Pizano added, "Till this day I still miss him. It wasn't brother by blood, but that was a good friend of mine."
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