The family of a man shot and killed by police after a foot chase through Uptown earlier this month questioned Thursday whether he would have grabbed for a police officer's gun when he was cornered in a south Minneapolis basement.

Terrence T. Franklin, 22, died after a struggle with police May 10 following a dramatic chase.

Police have not released the details of what happened in the basement, but sources have told the Star Tribune that Franklin grabbed at an officer's submachine gun and fired off two shots, injuring two police officers, before another officer shot and killed him. A police vehicle en route to the scene collided with a motorcycle, killing Ivan Romero, 24.

Attorney Michael Padden, who was hired by Franklin's parents, said that if the police report comes to the same conclusion, "This family will not accept that."

Padden also said it would have been uncharacteristic of Franklin to grab at the gun. "The kid was not suicidal" and would have known that trying to take the gun was tantamount to a death wish, he said at a news conference at the Minneapolis Urban League.

Walter Franklin said that his son, known as "Mookie," was shot five times in the back of his head. He said the family viewed his body after an autopsy. The autopsy report concluded that Franklin died of multiple gunshot wounds.

Padden said he doesn't fault Police Chief Janeé Harteau for not releasing the results of the department's investigation until it's complete, but he does fault the department for delaying interviews with some participating officers. Franklin's family members were interviewed five hours after the incident, he said.

Padden also played an enhanced version of a video shot from across the street from the Bryant Avenue S. house where Franklin was shot. Padden said the version captures two officers outside the house each using a racial epithet to refer to Franklin.

Harteau called the accusation "preposterous" and "without merit." Harteau said she has watched and listened to the video several times and did not hear any racial epithets. "The reality is, the comments made by the responding officers were appropriate and clearly relate to aiding the injured officers with a tourniquet," she said in a statement, adding that Padden should publicly apologize.

A group that says it's seeking justice for Franklin has scheduled a 5:30 p.m. Friday protest at the Hennepin County Government Center.

Steve Brandt • 612-673-4438