MEMPHIS — An internal affairs report shows that a man who was fatally shot by Memphis police in January was legally drunk and had marijuana in his system the night he died.
The Commercial Appeal reported that an internal affairs file made available Monday shows Steven Askew pointed a handgun at Memphis police officers Ned Aufdenkamp and Matthew Dyess before they fired 22 rounds, striking Askew nine times and killing him Jan. 17.
According to the internal affairs file, the officers found Askew sleeping in a car at an apartment complex. The officers shined flashlights into the car and tapped on the windows, waking Askew.
The report shows Askew then pointed a pistol at the officers. After Askew apparently failed to obey commands to raise his hands, they opened fire.
The officers have been cleared by both the department and the Shelby County District Attorney; they returned to duty last month.
Howard Manis, an attorney representing the Askew family, questions the report and whether the officers acted appropriately. He says the family plans to file a lawsuit over the shooting death.