Columbus police “cannot defend” newly released bodycam footage of the shooting death of unarmed Ohio resident Andre Hill, showing that agents delayed providing medical assistance to Hill after the shooting. The death of Hill, a 47-year-old black man, by police officer Adam Coy sparked national outrage.
“Andre Hill should be alive today,” Police Chief Thomas Quinlan said in a video statement Thursday. “A Columbus police officer is responsible for his death. I can’t defend it, I can’t make it right, but I’ll do what’s in my power. ‘
The recently released camera footage of the body shows the deadly shooting of Hill, who was a guest of the residence police. Around half past one, the video shows Hill walking up to Coy in a garage with a cellphone in hand, the screen lit and visible. Within seconds, Coy fires his weapons and Hill falls while Coy continues to ask Hill to show his hands.
Coy was off his body camera as he got out of his vehicle and approached Hill, a clear violation of police policy. After the recordings, he turned it on, triggering a 60-second “review” function and recording the recording without sound.
While the footage matches police reports of the shooting, it also shows that Hill did not receive medical attention for at least 5 minutes after the shooting. The police chief said Columbus police are also investigating whether any of the many officers on the scene followed protocol.
Hill was taken to hospital when medical attention arrived, where he died of his injuries. A preliminary autopsy report released by the Franklin County coroner listed the cause of death as murder. No medical report has stated whether assistance could have saved Hill’s life immediately after the shooting.
This news of additional investigation comes after Coy’s termination on the recommendation of the police chief. Coy was fired without a hearing for his “use of lethal force, his failure to activate his body camera, and his failure to assist Hill.”
Coy’s resignation was called a “ right decision ” by Benjamin Crump, the Hill family’s attorney, who also called for a redefinition of the relationship between police and communities of color. “The rampant police mindset of shooting first and asking questions later when it comes to a black person is irrefutable proof that black lives don’t matter to too many law enforcement officers,” Crump said.
“Adam Coy’s actions are not in line with a Columbus Police officer’s oath, or the standards that we, and the community, demand of our agents,” said Columbus Safety Director Ned Pettus Jr. last week in a statement.
The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation is investigating the shooting, which occurred just weeks after the December 4 shooting of 23-year-old Columbus resident Casey Goodson Jr. took place.
The police chief cited the large amount of bodycam footage and interviews for digging into the reason in delayed announcements, but said the police are working hard.
“As a police chief and like a human being, the events of last week left me shocked and heartbroken for Andre Hill’s family,” said Quinlan. “You will get the answers you demand and deserve.”