Mother mourns after son shot by police

The mother of a Springfield man, shot and killed by police, spoke out to 2 News, and said her son was led down the wrong path because of a drug addiction.

Phyllis Hills said her son was depressed over a recent break up, and lack of work, but she regretted calling the police when he became too much to handle. She questioned the use of force used against her son.

"I'm having a real hard time. He's my only child. Adult child, and I have nobody now, except my husband. It's hard," said Hills.

It all started on Monday morning, when a troubled Williamson, showed up at his elderly parents Rebecca Drive home, asking them for $300.

"He was belligerent, and he was pushing Jim around, my husband," said Hills.

Not knowing what to do, Hill said, she called 911 and asked for help, stating her son and his girlfriend were hitting them.

"I called 911, but I tell you what, if I'd have known they were going to shoot my son, I wouldn't' have called them," said Hill.

Springfield police confronted Williamson in the garage. Officials said he was armed with a knife, cut himself in the throat, then lunged at an officer. Police said that's when an officer pulled the trigger, shooting Williamson in the chest.

"I just want people to know that when he was not on drugs he was a wonderful person, and he had a good heart. a lot of people liked him," said a tearful Hill.

The family questioned the use of deadly force in this case. Police Chief Steven Moody also expressed sorrow at the loss of life involved, but stressed that his officers felt threatened.

"They asked numerous times for him to drop the knife, and at one point he came within striking distance at the officer. There's an indication that he made a statement in the home, that if he didn't get any money, that he was going to kill," said Moody.

Police were not releasing the names of the officers involved. Both were veterans of the police force, and had been with the department for nine and 17 years, respectively.