Family wants answers after Glendale officer kills man in stolen car

GLENDALE, AZ - A maze of crime scene tape around a fast food restaurant in Glendale was removed Sunday after an officer opened fire on a suspected car thief.

According to family members, 38-year-old Kenneth Girardot died in the shooting Saturday afternoon at a Jack in the Box restaurant at 59th Avenue and Colter.

"I don't know what happened and I just want to know what exactly happened, that's all," said Girardot's father William.

William told ABC15 he was celebrating his birthday when police knocked at the door notifying him of his son's death.

"I was angry," he said. "I just didn't know what to think and my wife basically collapsed."

The Girardot family said they want details behind the shooting to know if it could have been prevented. They also want to know the identity of the passenger in the car with their son who left the scene uninjured.

"Right or wrong or whatever, the truth, that's what we want. Did he have to kill my son? What happened there?" said William.

The family said they don't know where Kenneth got the car he was driving because the Phoenix resident doesn't own a car.

"I'm not disputing the fact it may have been stolen," said William. "I am just looking to figure out what happened here. There were things that went bad."

Glendale investigators say the car was stolen and as an officer approached the vehicle, Kenneth made an aggressive move.

Glendale police Sgt. Brent Coombs said the type of aggression was unclear, but more information is expected to be released.

ABC15 video shows that the car allegedly driven by Kenneth was hit by six bullets, two in the hood and four in the windshield. A marked Glendale Police Department car also had damage to the back end from what appeared to be a collision.

Investigators said the officer felt the need to draw his service weapon and fire to protect himself.

The Girardot family admits Kenneth had a drug problem and was recently going through withdrawals and planned to enter rehab this week.

"He was a heroin addict, yes, and he was trying to clean up. It's the truth. He was trying," said William. "No matter what, I just want to know the details of why he was killed."