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SALINA — A man who was born and raised in Salina was shot and killed by police Monday in Duncanville, Texas, just outside of Dallas.
Several witnesses, including the man's sister, said Clinton Peterson, 28, was unarmed and running away from police when he was shot.
"I'm not aware of how many shots were fired or who shot," said Doug Sisk, a Duncanville police officer. "I know shots were fired is all I know."
Police said they were responding to a call of a major disturbance. Clinton's sister, Melissa Peterson, said he was at her house Monday morning and refused to leave.
"My friend had called the cops because she just wanted him to go home and calm down," Melissa Peterson said.
She said her brother was walking home when two officers arrived. When confronted at gunpoint, she said he put his hands in his pockets and began backing away from officers. She said he took off running. Melissa Peterson said she saw one officer use their Taser on her brother while the other fired his gun.
Clinton Peterson had a criminal history in Utah, but his family said he wasn't violent. Police in Duncanville did not return KSL's calls Wednesday. The Dallas County Sheriff's Department is investigating.
"I think it was wrong to shoot him in the back, I really do," said Sherry Horne, Clinton's mother.
Clinton Peterson moved to Texas in March of 2012 to find work. He was a mechanic.
Horne said her son was a fun-loving guy.
I think it was wrong to shoot him in the back, I really do.
–Sherry Horne
"There was never a dull moment when he was around," said Horne, noting he was a loving father. "He always talked about his daughter, always."
Clinton Peterson left behind a 4-year-old daughter, Kendra, who lives with her mother, Clinton's ex-wife, in Salina.
Melissa Peterson said the officers had enough time to catch him, but instead shot him.
"That cop was out to kill him," she said.
Melissa Peterson said her brother never threatened the officers. All he had was a cellphone. She wants the officer who fired his gun off the force.
"If he's going to go out there and do it to my brother, it could be somebody else, and there's going to be another innocent soul taken," she said.
