Olga Santiago, the sister of Santos Laboy, angry and in mourning, after Santos was shot dead on a pedestrian bridge near Boston University. "They killed my brother," she said. "You supposed to figure out what the problem first before you shoot, you don't shoot somebody without knowing their mental health problems."
Boston University Police had been looking for Laboy near the Esplanade along the Charles River when the shirtless 45-year-old started to cross the footbridge over Storrow Drive. A State Police trooper who'd been called in for back-up encountered Laboy on the bridge and says Laboy threatened him with a knife, refused to drop it, and then the trooper fire, killing Laboy and wounding his family.
"It wasn't justice, they killed my brother and the system has to change, they need to help these people that come out of jail," said Santiago.
Sources tell NECN Laboy was believed to be responsible for leaving x-rated pictures at a nearby Laundromat. Police released surveillance video earlier in the week, hoping someone could identify him.
Family members say Laboy spent over 20 years in prison, and police say he had a lengthy criminal record. Laboy was once in trouble for threatening Boston Police officers with a sword.
A post from June 3 on Laboy's Facebook page reads "Message to US Marshall, Boston Police and Probation…expletive…Despite your threat to use force to capture me if I refuse to surrender, I'm still free and getting stronger by the day. Got nothing to lose…"
His sister says he needed more help for mental health problems. "We all have issues in the world and he had issues," she said. "You don't kill a person without knowing that person is suffering. He tried to succeed a little more and they kill him."
