COLUMBUS, Ohio — A mother is speaking up after her son, 26-year-old Colin Jennings, was shot and killed by police outside an apartment complex in east Columbus last week.
Police said Jennings was approaching responding officers with a knife before they fatally shot him.
Yolanda Jennings told 10TV that she is heartbroken after losing her son.
She said her son had autism and bipolar disorder and struggled with depression and anxiety. But, she said he was a funny, intelligent young man who was a joy to be around.
Yolanda said she watched the body camera video of her son that police released publicly on Monday, and said it was gut wrenching. She said she is angry with the way police handled the situation.
She wishes officers would have known that her son had mental health issues and was living in a place for people that struggle with their mental health.
“They would have had someone come out with them like a mental health professional who could’ve possibly de-escalated the situation. But, that didn’t happen,” said Jennings. “I want people to know my son did not deserve to die like that, he deserved to get the proper mental health care,” she said.
Yolanda said she wants police to have more training on handling people with mental health issues.
Her attorney, Sean Walton, said they have a lot of questions about what happened to Colin.
The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigations is investigating the shooting.
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