A newly released video shows the moment Florida police officers shoot at an unarmed black man within seconds of approaching him in suspicion of drug activity.
According to police at the time, the fatal 2014 shooting was justified because the man ignored repeated comments to put his hands up. However, as Tampa Bay Times notes, the newly released footage contradicts that claim, showing police open fire with seemingly little provocation.
“The video, as well as court documents in a civil case, depicts a small-scale drug bust turning violent in an instant. It shows an undercover deputy coaxing the man, Jerry Dwight Brown, into the officer’s car. Then other deputies surround the car to arrest Brown,” the Times reports. “Seconds later, the deputies fired four shots. Three of them hit Brown, including one in the back.”
The Times published the video despite threats of criminal prosecution from local authorities, giving the case attention after the release of the footage.
Lindsay Moore, the office’s general counsel, said the “video portions depicting the death of Mr. Brown are clearly confidential and exempt from public disclosure.” Moore said publishing the video would be “in violation of the law.”
Watch the video below:
