PEORIA — City police executed Eddie Russell Jr., according to a civil-rights attorney who is representing the Peorian's family.

"It was unjustified, it was excessive force, and the family demands answers and a full investigation," Chicago-based lawyer Andrew Stroth said Tuesday during a lunchtime news conference on the front steps of the Peoria Police Department.

"The family demands reform, and the family demands justice," Stroth said. "We want to make sure that the city of Peoria and the Peoria Police Department and the Illinois State Police do a full and transparent investigation into what happened last week to Eddie Russell Jr."

Stroth referred to the police shooting Sept. 20 as an execution. Peoria officers shot and killed Russell that day outside the family residence in the 2900 block of West Sheffield Drive.

Police said an armed, 25-year-old Russell had robbed a nearby bank earlier in the day. A hours-long standoff at the Sheffield Drive address ensued.

Eric Russell, president of the Chicago-based Tree of Life Justice League of Illinois, used the same word Stroth did in describing what happened to Eddie Russell. The Russells are not related.

"We are absolutely outraged at the execution of Edward Russell Jr.," Eric Russell said as he was flanked by about 30 of the deceased's family and friends. "He did not deserve to die."

Russell and Stroth cited inconsistencies in police accounts of the shooting and events that led to it.

Initial police statements suggested Eddie Russell Jr. had been shot five or six times. An autopsy and evidence gathered later suggested Russell might have been shot as many as 18 times.

Stroth said police-narrative inaccuracies in similar cases across the country make it naive to trust Peoria authorities' version of events.

"I don't think Peoria is unique," Stroth said.

Eric Russell's condemnations were more vituperative.

He accused the Peoria police of lying and of persecuting African-Americans. Eddie Russell Jr. was black, as are Eric Russell and Stroth.

"The Peoria police do not get to be judge, jury and executioner," Eric Russell said. "Why is it that the police always manage to de-escalate situations when it comes to white people, but they always engage black people with deadly intent?

"The Peoria police, they patrol the black community like some damn Gestapo. ... As our investigation moves forward, we're finding out this is not a police station. This is a hunting lodge."

Police Capt. Mike Scally would not comment when told about Russell's and Stroth's statements, which the officer did not hear. Scally was inside the building at the time of the news conference. No other police appeared to be outside.

When asked if Russell's family might file a federal civil-rights lawsuit should they find the investigation unsatisfactory, Stroth didn't say no.

"The family will pursue every possible legal strategy to get justice for their son," he said. "At this stage, this family has to bury their son."

The dead man's parents, Anita Johnson and Eddie Russell Sr., stood alongside Eric Russell and Stroth and in front of local media. Also in attendance was Illinois gubernatorial candidate Tio Hardiman and his running mate, Patricia Avery.

"All the facts are not in, but we stand with the family," Hardiman said.

The candidates appeared at the request of Russell's family, apparently.

Stroth said he, Eric Russell, Johnson and Eddie Russell Sr. would not discuss shooting specifics. Eddie Russell Sr. reiterated that in a brief interview after the news conference.

"Just let the process do what it do," the elder Russell said. "That's it, man."

Nick Vlahos can be reached at 686-3285 or nvlahos@pjstar.com. Follow him on Twitter @VlahosNick.