Community members gathered downtown Sunday afternoon in a protest seeking justice for a 26-year-old Alva man who police shot and killed after he pointed a pistol at officers.
The man, Jalin Scott Willyard, died Nov. 3 at his home near North Second Street and Mill Street in Alva.
Officer body cam footage released a few days later show officers entering Willyard’s home and then firing when Willyard raised a gun and pointed it at them.
Both Woods County deputies and Alva police officers went to Willyard’s home after his mother called 9-1-1 and requested a welfare check late Nov. 2.
Officers attempted to speak with Willyard when he opened the door, but Willyard walked away from the door, so officers followed him into the home.
Seconds later, Willyard appeared to be sitting on the couch when he raised the gun and pointed it at the officers, resulting in the shooting. He was dead at the scene.
In a statement, Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation said the investigation continues, but no charges have been filed against the responding officers.
Several people on Facebook noted that Willyard’s posts on his own page indicated he was struggling mentally at the time.
Signs at the protest called for #Justice4Jalin. One sign read “Men’s Mental Health Matters” and “I just need help, don’t shoot!”
Willyard worked as a mechanic in Alva and as a volunteer fireman with the Greenleaf Fire Department. He and his widow, Kyra Profit, have two children: a 1 ½- year-old daughter and a 1-month-old son.
Services are scheduled at 2 p.m. Saturday at Alva High School with burial in the Alva City Cemetery.