Family of bystander killed in Florida shootout wants answers

Published: Dec. 14, 2019 at 9:50 AM EST
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MIAMI (AP) — The family of a motorist killed at a busy South Florida intersection during a shootout between police and two delivery-truck hijackers said Friday that they’ve hired an attorney and asked the public for any video or photos to help them understand what had happened.

The family of Richard Cutshaw said in a statement that the 70-year-old man’s death was tragic and senseless.

Cutshaw, a union representative, was waiting in rush hour traffic last week when officers ran up and opened fire from behind the cars of innocent bystanders. The officers were aiming at a UPS truck that had been hijacked by two cousins who had robbed a jewelry store and led police on a wild rush hour chase.

Also killed were the UPS truck’s driver, Frank Ordonez, and the two suspects, Lamar Alexander and Ronnie Jerome Hill.

The chase and final shootout were broadcast live on television.

Cutshaw was a representative for the United Food and Commercial Workers Union in Florida and worked as a field representative for the Government Supervisors Association of Florida, according to his family.

The law firm Morgan & Morgan, which is representing Cushshaw’s relatives, said family members want answers about what happened and why.

“We need to make sure this incident is not overlooked or swept under the rug,” said Adrian Mendiondo, an attorney for the family.