Willie McCoy: California rapper killed in car was ‘shot by police around 25 times,’ lawyer says

A rapper who was fatally shot by police after he fell asleep inside his car outside a Taco Bell in California was shot around 25 times, a lawyer for his family said.

Willie McCoy, 20, who was known as Willie Bo and performed with the group FBG, was shot at by six officers at a branch of the fast-food restaurant in Vallejo on February 9.

After examining the body of Mr McCoy last week, Oakland attorney Melissa Nold told NBC News that he suffered injuries to his shoulder, chest and arm during the incident.

Also representing the rapper’s family, attorney John Burris said Mr McCoy was “shot to pieces” and was struck by around 25 bullets at the Taco Bell in Admiral Callaghan Lane.

Vallejo police declined to comment on the new information as it remains an active investigation.

“Overkill is an understatement,” Ms Nold, an attorney in Mr Burris’ law firm, told NBC News, adding that the rapper had been shot in the centre of his face as well as his throat and ear.

A restaurant employee called 911 and reported seeing a person slumped over in the seat of a silver Mercedes, Vallejo Police Department said.

"When officers arrived they “noticed the driver was unresponsive and had a handgun on his lap,” the spokesman added.

The force said in a statement that when officers approached the vehicle the “driver began to suddenly move and looked at the uniformed patrol officers".

“Officers gave the driver several commands to put his hands up," the statement added. "The driver did not comply and instead he quickly moved his hands downward for the firearm.

“Fearing for their safety, six officers fired their duty weapons at the driver.”

A loaded handgun was recovered from the Mercedes, police said.

Mr McCoy's family have since hit out at police over the incident. They believe he was racially profiled and the response of the officers was unjustified.

Speaking to NBC, Ms Nold said the situation could have been handled differently, adding: “Even under the world case scenario, you still have an obligation to try and avoid the use of deadly force.”