Naverone Woods shot by transit police remembered at vigil

The family of 23-year-old Naverone Christian Landon Woods shot and killed in a Surrey Safeway storein December continues to raise questions about the circumstances of his death.

• Family of Naverone Woods shocked by fatal shooting
• Man shot and killed by transit police in Surrey

Woods was fatally shot by transit police officers at the Safeway store at 10355 King George Boulevardshortly after 8 a.m. PT on Dec. 28.

Members of hisfamily, friends and supportersgathered at the Surrey Central SkyTrainStation Saturday afternoon to speak out on his behalf.

NaveroneWoods' sister speaks out for the first time

Woods' sister Melanie says her brother needed help.

"I think there could have been a different way," she said. "I think they were quick to act and if he was hurting himself like they said he was, it was a plea for help. Not to be shot."

She says whathappened was unusual behaviour for her brother.

"I've never known him to be violent. I've never known him to have outbursts of any kind. He was truly an animal lover. He was gentle. He was kind. He was generous. He would go without so you would have something."

Woods' uncle Clifford Ryan says he'd like to know why police used the most lethal force option at their disposal when Woods was obviously distraught and acting irrationally.

RAW: Surrey shooting victim caught on surveillance

10 years ago

Duration 1:04

Man, 20, was shot by transit police in grocery store after stabbing himself repeatedly

Transit police were called after Woods was seen banging his head against a wall at the Surrey CentralSkyTrain station, Dec. 28. Ashort while later, a clerk at a nearby convenience store reported he had entered the store agitated and demanding a knife.

When transit police arrived they say they found Woods inside a neighbouring Safeway shirtless and stabbing himself repeatedly with a knife he had grabbed at the grocery store.

Witnesses say police told Woods to drop the knife.Police say hedidn't and was shot whilemovingtowardthe police officers.

Woods was rushed to theRoyalColumbianHospital, but was pronounced dead soon after arriving, according to theBCCoroners Service, which is investigating the death along with B.C's Independent Investigations Office.

Thevigil marks the two-month anniversary of Woods' death.Family and community members say they are concerned about the force used against him and are questioning whether raceplayed a role in the killing.