(AllHipHop News) Video footage has been released of law enforcement’s September 16 fatal shooting of Tulsa, Oklahoma resident Terrence Crutcher.
Crutcher, 40, was walking with his hands up while backing away from the two officers, the moment before he was shot.
Police indicate that officer Betty Shelby fired the fatal shot, while officer Tyler Turnbough used a stun gun on Crutcher.
Footage of the unsettling incident was captured from the dashcam of one of the police vehicles as well as from a helicopter, although Crutcher’s movements are obscured by the car in the aerial footage.
The New York Times reports that the shooting occurred after an officer stopped to investigate a vehicle in the middle of the road.
The police indicate that Crutcher approached them when they arrived to assist him.
They claim he refused to show his hands and reached into his car, prompting the fatal force from the officials.
Tulsa police chief Chuck Jordan stated at a news conference yesterday (September 19), that Crutcher was unarmed and did not have a weapon in his vehicle.
“This is an issue that is not unique to Tulsa, Oklahoma,” Benjamin L. Crump a lawyer for Crutcher’s family said.
He then continued, “This is an issue that seems to be an epidemic happening all around America. What are we as an American society going to do about it?”
Mayor of Tulsa Dewey F. Bartlett Jr., chimed in on the recent events as well, urging the city to rally behind the family.
“This city will be transparent, this city will not cover up, this city will do exactly what is necessary to make sure that all rights are protected and to make sure that all rights shall be done,” Mr. Bartlett said.
Officer Shelby is currently on paid administrative leave as a result of the incident.
The Tulsa police department has opened a criminal investigation into the shooting and the federal justice department has opened a separate civil rights investigation.