BOSTON — The family of a Boston man shot to death by terrorism investigators was shocked by allegations that he planned to kill police officers, and saw no signs that he had become radicalized, their attorney said Thursday.
Ronald Sullivan, a Harvard Law professor, said Usaama Rahim’s family considered him “an energetic young man trying to make his way in this world” and saw no behavior or changes in demeanor that would lead them to suspect he would espouse violence.
Surrounded by Rahim’s brothers, mother and wife on the sidewalk where Rahim was shot, Sullivan said they hope to work “productively and cooperatively” with investigators in a “joint effort to search for the truth.”
Rahim, 26, was fatally shot Tuesday after investigators said he refused to drop a military-style knife as they sought to question him about “terrorist-related information.” Police have said the video shows officers backing up and Rahim moving toward them before they fired.
Police Commissioner William Evans said Rahim had talked about beheading blogger Pamela Geller before deciding to target police officers. “There was some mention of that name,” said Evans, who dismissed the idea as “wishful thinking” while speaking on the “Today” show.
A Muslim leader said Thursday that his killing by Boston Police and the FBI was reckless and unnecessary. Imam Abdullah Faaruuq, who is close to the Rahim family, said he believes they wanted him dead.
“You can capture elephants, lions and tigers without killing them,” Faaruuq said. “The intent was not to capture him and keep him alive.”
Faaruuq said Rahim had been under surveillance for nearly three years, but he’s not convinced, based on what law enforcement officials have released, that it was warranted.
Geller wasn’t surprised that she may have been a target.
She’s a combative personality known for provoking Muslims by campaigning against a mosque near the World Trade Center site in New York, sponsoring inflammatory advertisements and organizing the Prophet Muhammad cartoon contest in Texas.
