Family of man shot by Vidalia Police officer during traffic stop is demanding answers

VIDALIA, Ga. (WTOC) - Tuesday, the family of a man shot by Vidalia Police during a traffic stop are demanding answers.

That man is recovering in the hospital, but will go to jail after he’s discharged.

WTOC sat down with one of the mans loved ones to find out why they say this never should have happened.

A family in Lyons is asking for answers after their loved ones claim he was wrongfully shot by a Vidalia Police officer on Sunday.

We sat down with a loved one of 47-year-old Travis Kelly Parrish after a Vidalia Police officer shot him this weekend.

Parrish is still recovering at the hospital but was awake on Monday to tell his side of the story to his family.

The Vidalia Police Department says the shooting happened at the intersection of MLK Boulevard and Epstein Street.

Around 1:30 p.m. Sunday, two officers stopped a driver and Parrish who was the passenger.

Investigators say Parrish had an outstanding warrant. Vidalia PD says during the arrest, an officer used a taser then shot Parrish.

The GBI is investigating the shooting.

This loved one of Parrish who wished not to be on camera for her own safety, says both the driver of the car and Parrish say the shooting was wrong.

She confirms that Parrish did have a warrant for breaking probation on a previous theft charge.

She says Parrish reached for his phone when police tased him and shot him seconds later.

“So, I don’t know what led to the officer feeling the need to draw their weapon was. He was unarmed, not being ugly or belligerent from what I understand. So, I don’t know why they felt the need to shoot him,” said the loved one.