Family says man fatally shot by Waycross officer

100 people gather in neighborhood after shooting

WAYCROSS, Ga. – A Georgia man is dead and his family says he was shot by a police officer late Friday afternoon in Waycross, Ga.

The situation on Reed and Blackwell Street was tense Friday night as over 100 people gathered in the neighborhood.

Many were angry, saying police didn't need to shoot and kill Jack Lamar Roberson (pictured, below in center).

"We called 911 for my son cause he wasn't feeling good so instead of 911 coming, the police came and they rushed in and my son came out of the kitchen, him and my daughter-in-law," said mother Diane Roberson. "Police rushed in and my son went to the living room door. The police came in, pulled his gun out, my son put his hands up and they shot him, they shot him down."

"They shot my baby, he had his hands up. They didn't Taser him, they didn't warn him," said Alicia Herron, the man's girlfriend. "He came out with his hands up. They shot him in his chest more than once."

Bernara Benson, who lives down the street, said Roberson was a nice man who never caused any trouble. "He just put his hands up and then police began to shoot him. I feel for his daughter and his fiance. They were just standing there, looking at the crime that was being committed. I just hope and pray that justice is served," Benson said. 

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is handling the case, since it involves Waycross police officers. Waycross police also didn't comment.

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Scott is a multi-Emmy Award Winning Anchor and Reporter, who also hosts the “Going Ringside With The Local Station” Podcast. Scott has been a journalist for 25 years, covering stories including six presidential elections, multiple space shuttle launches and dozens of high-profile murder trials.