RICHMOND, Va. — A man in Chesterfield was shot and killed by police Thursday after they say he fired a shot.
The aunt and former guardian of 23-year-old Ronnie Estes says she believes her nephew's death could've been avoided.
Estes' aunt told CBS 6 Crime Insider Jon Burkett that she tried everything to get him help.
About 11 days ago, she thought things were looking up for Estes after he checked himself into a hospital for mental health treatment.
Thursday morning, things took a turn.
Police responded to a shots fired and disturbance call in Brandermill along Birnam Woods Drive near the gas station.
"Officers received a description of the suspect. They responded to [the gas station] at 5:30 a.m., at which time they identified the subject that was involved in the previous disturbance," Chesterfield Police Chief Frank Carpenter said in his first briefing following the shooting. "The subject produced a firearm. A shot was fired. Officers engaged and returned fire. The suspect is now deceased."
Now, Estes' aunt is left with a lot of questions for mental health officials who she says failed her family.
Editor's Note: A previous version of this story mentioned a hospital in Hanover County as the place Estes visited for help. His family later clarified that their loved one actually visited another hospital for treatment.
This is a developing story. Email the CBS 6 Newsroom if you have additional information to share.
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