T-Boz claims cousin shot dead 18 times

TLC singer Tionne ‘T-Boz’ Watkins is asking for justice, claiming that her mentally ill cousin was shot by police at least 18 times.

The 47-year-old shared a series of tweets and an Instagram post about the incident involving her 25-year-old cousin Eddie Russell Jr.

“My cousin was shot 18 times including the face and back of his head. He harmed no one ever! He had mental health issues and the cops knew that. Anything he’s ever done was minor and non-violent,” T-Boz said.

The Peoria, Illinois Police Department said Russell was shot because he was charging toward the police with a handgun.

“Peoria police officers shot and killed an armed suspect as he emerged from his home advancing towards officers with a handgun,” the statement read.

The incident happened last Sept. 20. According to police, they were responding to a bank robbery around 12:49 p.m.

Russell was identified through a security camera so the police proceeded to arrest him at his home.

“At approximately 3:46 p.m., Russell emerged from his home and aggressively advanced toward officers with a handgun. Russell was shot. Emergency medical personnel were on scene and provided medical treatment. Russell was pronounced deceased at the scene,” the police statement also said.

But T-Boz doesn’t believe the police.

“Shot eighteen times? ...They keep saying he had a gun! I don’t see a gun in his hand at the bank they say he tried to rob! That’s NOT A GUN!” the singer said referring to the security camera.