Phillip Watkins
- February 11, 2015
A beloved son and father
23 Years Old
Phillip was a young 23-year-old father, a loving son, brother, player & lover of football, and beloved community member. Seven years later we continue to lift the spirit of Phillip Watkins as we follow in his mom's steps to justice and change.
About Phillip
On February 12, 2015, the San Jose Police Department killed Phillip Watkins during a mental health crisis. In less than 5 minutes, with no plan or discretion, officers James Soh and Ryan Dote fired their weapons and hit Phillip 7 times in front of his 2-year-old daughter.
At 5:01 PM on February 12th, Phillip called 911 during his mental health crisis and less than five minutes later at 5:05 PM, Officer Dote and Officer Soh fired their weapons at Phillip (6-7 times & 3-4 times.)
PHILLIP HAD 7 BULLETS IN HIM
BOTH OFFICERS WERE NOT TRAINED IN CRISIS INTERVENTION (CIT)
There was no plan or description for a “suspect”. The officers got out on foot not exactly knowing what they were looking for, no mental health person was on the scene and they killed Phillip less than five minutes after arriving. Soh believed the shooting was needed for a 4-inch pocket knife.
In support of the impacted communities who have suffered police violence & murder, we demand that San Jose Police Department Officers James Soh and Ryan Dote be fired. The city of San Jose should change their protocol so officers like them are not rehired in our city or elsewhere.
