Coalition for Justice protests killing of Daniel Saenz

Anewly-released death report on the shooting of bodybuilder and former Mr. El Paso Daniel Saenz shows he was shot and killed while he was handcuffed.

His death is sparking controversy andsome are calling it an injustice. On Saturdaythe Coalition for Justice gathered to rally against the shooting.

Friends of Saenz say it’s just hard to imagine him acting out so aggressively that he would have to be shot and killed.

“No one in police custody for no crime that you would’ve received needs to be shot dead while he’s handcuffed from the rear,” said Coaltion for Justice organizer Victor Houston.

That’s the main point protesters are trying to get through, although police reports haven’t stated whether Saenz was handcuffed in front or behind his body.

“I believe that justice was not served, and this is not an indictment against the police department,” said supporter Jerome Tilghnman.

Tilghmansays there needs to be more transparency and a release of surveillance video.

“We would like to think and believe there was some other steps that should have been taken. Our law enforcement community is trained in that regard. If that proves to be a necessary step, lets put it before the public,” said Tilghman.

Daniel Saenz was shot and killed in March of this year. Police reports state Saenz was arrested after an outburst at Del Sol Medical Center while he was being treated for extremely high blood pressure.

The report states Saenz assaulted an elderly person and an off-duty police officer.

Saenz was then taken to the downtown jail for booking.

The report states he head-butted the door and had to return to the hospital, but before he was transported, police say Saenz became increasingly aggressive and a struggle ensued.

That’s when Officer J. Flores pulled his pistol and shot andkilled Saenz.

“He was the kind of guy that liked to joke around, always smiling, always trying to make fun of something, a really lighthearted person,” said Javier Guitierrez, whohas known Saenz for over 20 years.

He tellsABC-7 he just can’t imagine his friend acting that way.

“A lot of the things that happened, we don’t believe that should’ve of gone that far as to have our friend murdered,” said Guitierrez.

Police cannot comment on the incident because it is under the investigation.

The Coalition for Justice tellsABC-7 this is only the first of many rallies to come.