Ejeh's family, which seeks an urgent investigation into the death, stated that their son went to the United States for a better life, noting that his American dream was cut short by the police meant to protect him.
The family of 44-year-old Nigerian man, Joseph Agada Ejeh who was killed by a United States police officer has demanded for justice and full disclosure of how their son died.
According to the family in a post shared by a witness, Zipporah Anuga, on her X (formerly Twitter) account, he questioned why the police had refused to release video footage of what transpired before Ejeh’s death, and why his personal belongings including phone were seized.
Ejeh's family, which seeks an urgent investigation into the death, stated that their son went to the United States for a better life, noting that his American dream was cut short by the police meant to protect him.
They regretted that his killing without any just cause has devastated their family, especially his widowed mother. "On the night of December 5, 2023, Joseph Agada Ejeh, was slain in cold blood at the hands of a police officer in Bellevue King County, Seattle, Washington.
"This horrific incident was brought to our attention by the King County Sheriff’s Office seven days after the incident actually took place. Media reports state that at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 5, 2023, officers responded to a report of a man, our dear Joseph, walking around the Kelsey Creek Center parking lot in the 15500 block of Main Street with a knife out, and was shot multiple times by the officer, killing our brother.
"As a family, knowing who Joseph was, the reported actions and circumstances of his death are very much at odds with whom we knew him to be. He worked at Allied Universal amongst other companies before his passing.
"Joseph was an IT specialist in Nigeria and the US helping everyday people with web development. We are also deeply hurt and confused by the information being circulated about his case.
"No video footage from businesses in the vicinity of this shooting, including the LA Fitness gym that this happened in front of or eyewitness statements have been provided in any of the reports.
"Joseph’s Facebook page was taken down and his WhatsApp messages were being read after his death.
"Calls to his phone were answered by an unknown person and the fact that we were informed a week after the shooting adds to the agony and cloud of mystery surrounding the death of Joseph," the family lamented.
The grieving family appealed to the Bellevue Police Department "to release footage including police officer body cam, nearby CCTV and all other evidence to show us exactly what happened".
"At this point, we’re just trying to get the truth of what happened. We are calling on the global community to unite with us and fight for justice for Joseph," the family passionately appealed.
Meanwhile, the family through the Special Counsel for Justice for Jos Project, E. Ogebe, raised 10 questions for the United States Police for answers.
The puzzling questions are as follow, "What transpired between Joseph and workers of La Fitness gym (where he works out regularly)? Why did the workers at La Fitness gym call the police?
"There's no confirmation from the police officers that Joseph was with any knife when they got to the scene. So why did they shoot him multiple times when he was not a threat?
"Joseph's car was in the parking lot. Was he going towards his car or towards the police? There are conflicting statements in the police report. What is the truth?
"Where's the evidence of what transpired? Let the Bellevue Police Department produce video footage and police body camera recording of their encounter with Joseph. Why are these not provided 1 month after the incident?
"Why did Bellevue Police Department release Joseph's body to family but refuse to hand over his personal effects (phone and wallet)?
"Who removed Joseph Ejeh's Facebook account on 19th December 2023, exactly 2 weeks after he was shot by Bellevue Police Officer?
"Why is Joseph's family unable to memorialise Joseph's Facebook account as requested? Why have all his memories and pictures stored over the years been completely wiped off?
"Why is Facebook not able to recover Joseph's Facebook account when their policy clearly states that Facebook keeps this record for 30 days after deletion?
"Who was desperate to wipe off Joseph's memories from Facebook? What information was there? Could it have provided answers to the circumstances surrounding his killing?
"Why has Bellevue Police Department refused to provide the name(s) of the officer(s) involved in the shooting?"