'According to witnesses, Thomas ended up on his knees, and the officer shot him.

Cynthia Thomas said it looked like the officer and her son were getting up off the ground at the same time, and that's when her son was shot.

"He shot him like he was a dog and turned and walked away. Rod didn't even have a chance to get off the ground with one arm in the air. He couldn't even see," Hunt said. "All that wasn't even necessary".'

Read more: Friend: 'He Shot Him Like He Was a Dog'