LAFAYETTE, La Saturday marks one year since Trayford Pellerin was shot and killed by Lafayette Police.
KATC spoke with his family as they reflect on the events of the past year and where they go from here.
It was a Friday night last August when everything changed for the Pellerin family; it was a shooting that rocked this community.
After Pellerin's death, we saw demonstrations throughout the streets of Lafayette as so many expressed anger over the shooting and support for the black lives matter movement.
In the months that followed, there were more demonstrations calling out racial injustices, including a heavily armed protest in Parc Sans Souci.
The investigation wrapped up this spring, when the DA announced no officers would be charged in Pellerin's death, saying the shooting was justified because Pellerin was armed with a knife.
Now, one year later, his parents Cedrick and Michelle are still coping with the loss of their son, who was shot and killed outside of a Circle K gas station on the Evangeline Thruway in Lafayette.
"We're just taking it one day at a time."
They say they aren't satisfied with the results of the investigation and are now exploring their other legal options as they continue to call for answers.
"They waited nine months to let us see a video that they claim they had from day one, but we did not see that video. It makes it hard to believe that that's what actually went on. We know that the State Police is known for hiding evidence,” said Michelle Pellerin.
"It's just like that video that they released, we saw it at the same time as the public," added Cedrick Pellerin. "They didn't have the respect to be like ``'Okay, this is the video we're putting out, this is the video,' so we're seeing it at the same time everybody else is seeing it."
"At this point, it's a new ballgame."
Pellerin family attorney Ronald Haley is hoping to find accountability in civil court.
"We learn nothing about the officers. We do not know if they had a history of use of force. We don't know any complaints that these officers had. We have no idea if they had any history of reprimand within their departments or other departments,” said Haley.
As the one year anniversary of Pellerin's death approaches, the family remains hopeful for justice will come in some form.
"It's going to come to light. Somebody will get exposed, it's just a matter of time. We're not going away,” said Cedrick Pellerin.
There is still a photo and balloons in memory of Trayford Pellerin at the gas station where he was shot.
His family will hold a vigil at Debaillon Park Saturday afternoon.
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