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Charlotte leaders listen to Latino community's concerns

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Members of Charlotte's Latino community are questioning city leaders about last week's officer-involved shooting.

The mother of the Josue Diaz, killed by an undercover officer, addressed Charlotte's mayor.

Charlotte leaders said they were ready for heated exchanges at the Latin American Coalition community meeting.

"We want to know the truth,” Diaz’s mother said in Spanish to Mayor Jennifer Roberts and Councilwoman Dimple Ajmera. “We want to know what happened that day and we still don't know."

Diaz sideswiped an undercover officer's car Thursday on Albemarle Road and left the scene, Charlotte-Mecklenburg police said.

That officer followed Diaz, who stopped and opened fire. The passenger in Diaz’s car was not injured.

The officer fired back, killing Diaz.

Action NC has called for tangible steps toward improving community policing, better interactions with immigrants, even if they're illegal, and third-party investigations of police shootings.

Roberts said trust works both ways.

"We want to make sure we're building that trust because our officers can't do their job if our citizens don't trust them enough to be witnesses to any criminal activity, if they can't feel safe calling," Roberts said.

As far as changing laws, leaders said that would have to be done on a state and federal level.

Leaders said they are helping citizens do that, but warned that it is an uphill battle.

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