St. Louis Police Release Video Of Kajieme Powell Shooting: Contradicts Officers Story

[TruthSeeker11]

The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department released cell phone footage Wednesday of the police shooting of Kajieme Powell, a 25-year-old black man killed on Tuesday in St. Louis, according to St. Louis Public Radio.

A convenience store owner called 911 on Tuesday when he suspected Powell stole drinks and donuts from his shop, according to a recording of the call. Another woman called to report Powell was acting erratically and had a knife in his pocket.

Two officers in a police SUV responded to the calls, the cell phone video shows. When the officers got out of their vehicle, Powell walked in their direction, yelling and telling them to shoot him already.

St. Louis Police Chief Sam Dotson said Tuesday that both of the officers opened fire on Powell when he came within a three or four feet of them holding a knife "in an overhand grip."

But the newly released cell phone footage undermines the statement, showing Powell approaching the cops, but not coming as close as was reported, with his hands at his side. The officers began shooting within 15 seconds of their arrival, hitting Powell with a barrage of bullets.

The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department released the video and 911 calls, telling St. Louis Public Radio that it plans to act transparently.

The shooting death occurred less than four miles from where Michael Brown was fatally shot by a police officer in the suburb of Ferguson on Aug. 9.

The St. Louis Police Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Huffington Post.

Dotson defended the officers in a television appearance later Wednesday, acknowledging the discrepancies between his Tuesday account and what the video revealed. Though Powell's hands were down by his sides, Dotson told CNN, he was moving toward the officer with a knife in his hand.

"The officers did what I think you or I would do, they protected their life in that situation," Dotson said.

CNN's Don Lemon and Chris Cuomo pushed Dotson on the officers' decision to use lethal force, rather than opting for an alternate form of defense like a Taser.

"Certainly a Taser is an option that's available to the officers, but Tasers aren't 100 percent," Dotson said. "So you've got an individual with a knife who's moving towards you, not listening to any verbal commands, continues, says, 'shoot me now, kill me now.' Tasers aren't 100 percent. if that Taser misses, that [individual] continues on and hurts an officer."

"In a lethal situation, they used lethal force," he added.





http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/0...n_5696546.html

[Denny367]

At 2:20 it APPEARS that the passenger officer removes something from the suspect's right hand and tosses it on the ground to screen left. To me, (and I'm no audio/video expert) when object hits the ground, it sounds metallic. I have no idea what it may be, as I could not make out what it was. Just my two cents.

Additionally, at 1:29 he removes his right hand from his jacket pocket. I see the profile of something, but I can't tell what it is. He is ordered to "drop the knife" at that point, more than once. At 1:39 I also heard a bystander say, "come on (insert name maybe) drop it bro."

Most agencies are taught that 21' is the minimum distance when dealing with someone armed with a knife that is approaching you in a threatening manner.

[tjm2007]

What I don't like is they fired 3 more times while he was on the ground.

[Denny367]

I agree.

[GopherInTN]

If the threshold is met to fire one time I have no issue with the amount of shots fired. Once the line is crossed its you are good until the threat has ended.
You don't fire one and then assess the threat and then fire again, training takes hold. I don't think they even emptied their magazines...isn't that restraint??

[Daley7264]

I don't believe that the video contradicts the officers story at all. The perp was advancing, was within a few feet and could have had an overhand grip. The cop did not say the weapon was held over his head. He said he held the weapon in an overhand grip, which would be the same way you would hold an ice pick. The death of this man was without a doubt justified. Anyone that thinks a taser would be sufficient in this case does not know the reality of the situation or the rules regarding the use of force. I have many issues with some of the police behavior in this is country as of late, but this was a necessary and justified use of deadly force. I also believe that the same will be found to be true of the Ferguson shooting as well, after all the race baiting and frenzy subsides and the facts are fully public. Bad guys, doing bad things and then ignoring police orders often end up dead.

[Pyrodon]

St. Louis Police Release Video Of Kajieme Powell Shooting: Contradicts Officers Story

They misspelled "confirms", and proved once again that some will ignore reality to push an agenda