A Virginia family is mourning the death of 18-year-old Xzavier Hill, who was shot and killed by Virginia State Troopers earlier this month. Hill’s family said the shooting was unjustified, and they are calling on state police to release dashcam footage to prove he was cooperating with officers.
Virginia State Police does not require its officers to use body-worn cameras.
Hill’s mother, LaToya Benton, joined a rally in Henrico County on Friday afternoon, shortly after the funeral service. Benton said she viewed dashcam footage showing her son cooperating with officers before being shot
“He was all I had, and I put my whole life into my son,” she said.
Brandon Wright, Hill’s cousin, called the incident atrocious.
“There’s no other way to put it. At this point, we’re trying to make sure that everyone can see the video for full transparency,” Wright said.
The group protesting moved to the Goochland Courthouse later in the afternoon.
A judge's order was posted on the door of the Goochland Circuit Court Clerk’s office saying the office was closing, starting at noon, in anticipation of a civil demonstration.
Hill was pulled over in the early morning of Jan. 9 for speeding on Interstate-64 in Goochland, according to state police.
When the trooper activated his emergency lights and siren, Hill reportedly refused to stop and sped away. Police say he then attempted to make a U-turn, ran off the side of the interstate, slid down the embankment and became stuck in the median.
According to VSP, when two troopers approached Hill’s car and gave him repeated verbal commands to exit his vehicle and show his hands, Hill displayed a firearm and was shot. A handgun was recovered from inside the car.
The two troopers involved in the incident will remain on administrative leave.
A spokesperson said the Goochland Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office will review the findings when the investigation is complete.
