The chance to surrender to police–or even attempt the "hands up, don't shoot" method–to avoid being perceived as a threat seems to be null and void for black suspects. The Virginian-Pilot recently obtained police body cam footage showing a white officer shooting a black suspect in the back as he runs away. 

The video from late October shows Portsmouth, Virginia, Officer Jeremy Durocher firing at Deontrace Ward, who authorities described as an armed burglary suspect. Police were responding to a robbery call which occurred in a residential neighborhood in the southeast Virginia city, according to authorities.

Both Ward and his mom spoke to the publication about the incident. 

“I was just pretty much trying to get away. Showing no aggression," said Ward. "I feel he shot for no reason."

After viewing footage of her son being shot, Ebony West said the shooting is "unjustified." They’re both calling for Commonwealth's Attorney Stephanie Morales to prosecute Durocher.

Although someone like Nicholas Cruz, who fatally shot 17 people at Marjory Stoneman High School in Parkland, Florida, was captured alive; for some reason, someone like Ward, whose back was turned, and gun was invisible at the time, was perceived as a threat.

Nevertheless, the officer's attorney said Ward was a "clear danger" because he was armed. However, the gun was not in his hand, the weapon was in his right pant leg pocket, according to New York Post.

In the Hampton Roads Regional Jail interview, Ward said he could understand Durocher shooting him if he had the gun out or if he was running towards the officer. 

"But if I'm just running away, I shouldn't get shot," he said.

Ward was charged with several felony charges, and will go to trial on May 1. It is not yet known if he has an attorney.