Mother of man shot and killed by police says her son didn't deserve to die that way

SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — Susan Neese says her son had his struggles, but he did not deserve to die the way he did, at the hands of a West Valley City police officer in August.

Neese lives in the south suburbs of Chicago, and spoke to 2News sister station CBS Chicago about her son's life, and his death.

"It's important for me that Chad isn't remembered for the final moments of his death," Neese told CBS Chicago.

Chad Breinholt, 31, was arrested on Aug. 23 on suspicion of driving under the influence, according to police. He was handcuffed and placed into a DUI processing unit at West Valley City Hall.

Body camera video shared with 2News shows Breinholt tell officers he had a gun in his shoe. A scuffle ensued, during which he was shot and fatally wounded.

"I'm completely surprised that it escalated to the level of extreme force that they felt was necessary," she told CBS Chicago.

Breinholt's mother said her son struggled with substance abuse, but it did not define him. She says her son was a musician, who used music to help cope with addiction.

He was a devoted son and brother, Neese said, who'll be remembered differently than what body cameras captured in his final moments.

The Salt Lake City Police Department investigated the officer-involved shooting, per police protocol. Officials told 2News their findings were handed over to the Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office last week. There has been no word yet on whether prosecutors ruled the shooting justified or not.