‘This ain’t right:’ Family asks for answers after man fatally shot by Orlando police

Derek Diaz was shot last Monday

ORLANDO, Fla. – The family of a man shot and killed by the Orlando Police Department last Monday called on police to provide answers about the case at a vigil on Sunday.

The vigil took place at the corner of Jefferson Street and Orange Avenue, which is where Derek Diaz, 26, was shot.

“His daughter had his first day of soccer today and he wasn’t there, she’s asking for him and we have nothing to tell her,” said Sonja Nava, the mother of Diaz’s daughter.

According to statements by the Orlando Police Department, officers were doing “proactive patrol” in the area and suspected Diaz, who was driving a car, of being involved in drug activity.

Police said that Diaz disobeyed commands of officers and one of them shot him because he made a “quick movement” as if to retrieve a firearm.

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No gun was found in the vehicle, but police said drugs were recovered in the investigation.

News 6 has not heard back from Orlando police regarding questions over what drugs were found, and where.

Nava told News 6 earlier this week that the entire family is heartbroken and was still being kept in the dark.

On Saturday, the family and attorney Benjamin Crump called for the release of the body-worn camera video. OPD said in a statement the body-worn camera video would be made available within 30 days.

The family made another call to release the video on Sunday.

“We just want to see the video, it seems like they’re holding on to it, why are they holding on to it?” Nava said Sunday. “Why can’t we see it? Why can’t we the family at least see it.”

“How are we supposed to feel protected by y’all when we don’t even know what y’all are doing, for real?” said one person at the vigil.

The officer is on administrative leave pending a Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigation.

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About the Authors

Christie joined the ClickOrlando team in November 2021.

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