Family of man shot, killed by police after targeting officer vehicles with Molotov cocktails speaks out

Raleigh, N.C. — Family members of Reuel Rodriguez-Nunez, who police say targeted officer vehicles with Molotov cocktails on May 7 in southeast Raleigh, will speak out Friday.

Family members told WRAL News Rodriguez-Nunez, 37, had recently gotten out of jail and said he suffered from mental issues. Body camera footage from the incident was released weeks later.

EDITOR’S NOTE/CONTENT WARNING: Video provided by Raleigh Police Department of the shooting of Reuel Rodriguez-Nunez is graphic and includes gunfire. It shows Rodriguez-Nunez being shot. Profanity is also used in the video.

Video of the incident shows a firebomb being hurled at police, which resulted in two cars catching fire shortly before shots were fired. Police shot Rodriguez-Nunez four times. All four officers involved were placed on administrative leave, which is standard procedure.

Rodriguez-Nunez’s cousin Ellie told WRAL News that she felt her cousin’s death was unnecessary.

A background check shows Rodriguez-Nunez has several past convictions, including:

• Guilty in 2015 of driving while intoxicated and reckless driving
• A 2019 guilty conviction of maintaining a dwelling for controlled substances
• A 2020 guilty conviction of two counts of misdemeanor assault on a government employee

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