A police officer in Columbus, Ohio had not fully activated his body camera Tuesday morning during the fatal shooting of a 47-year-old black man, officials said.
The incident is this month’s second police shooting after 23-year-old Casey Goodson Jr. used to be fatally shot by Jason Meade, deputy to the local sheriff. Goodson’s death was ruled murder, and sparked protestss in the city.
The Columbus Department Public Safety said Tuesday’s footage itself was videotaped thanks to a 60-second “look back” feature on the cameras. However, that feature does not pick up audio, meaning it is not known what was said before or during the recording.
Available footage of Tuesday’s incident shows the victim walking up to the officer with a cell phone in his left hand, but his right hand was not visible, the ministry said.
An officer fired his weapon and hit the man. The officer has not been identified.
The responding officer’s body camera shows the man walking towards the officer with a cell phone in his left hand, but his right hand was not visible.
The ministry said preliminary investigation indicates the victim was visiting someone’s home. Footage also shows a “delay in providing first aid to men.”
The victim has not been identified.
Updated statement from @Politie_Rdam on Tuesday’s shooting: pic.twitter.com/9E19M0iLPY
– Columbus Department of Public Safety (@ColumbusSafety) December 22, 2020
Columbus Police Chief Thomas Quinlan said in a statement that he had relieved the officer of duty pending criminal and internal investigations.
He noted that the division invested millions of dollars in camera images of the body “for the express purpose of making a video and audio recording of such encounters.”
“They provide transparency and accountability, protecting both the public and officers when the facts are at stake,” Quain said.
The Mayor of Columbus said it was unacceptable that the officer’s body camera was not fully turned on.
“This morning we heard of the murder of another black man by law enforcement,” Columbus Mayor tweeted Andrew Ginther on Tuesday. Casey Goodson, Jr., here in Columbus. ”
“The officer involved did not turn on their body-worn camera – which is unacceptable. The officer involved has been relieved of duty, forcing him to surrender his badge and pistol, giving him police authority pending the outcome of the criminal and internal investigation. ”
The officer involved did not turn on their body-worn camera – which is unacceptable. The officer involved has been relieved of duty, forcing him to surrender his badge and pistol, depriving him of police authority pending the outcome of the criminal and internal investigation.
– Mayor Andrew Ginther (@MayorGinther) December 22, 2020