COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — A surveillance video shows a young black man who was fatally shot by Colorado Springs police running from two officers before falling to the ground, according to the footage obtained by a newspaper.
Colorado Springs police have said an officer shot 19-year-old De’Von Bailey on Saturday after he reached for a gun, but they have not elaborated, citing a pending investigation by the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office.
The death of Bailey drew more than 60 people to a heated protest Monday outside police department headquarters.
Police arrested two bail bondsmen who arrived on motorcycles and drew guns after a scuffle with some of the protesters.
The video posted online by the The Gazette shows Bailey running from the two officers who appear to be white and enter the frame with their guns drawn.
Bailey quickly falls on his side and leans on his left arm. The officers run to him with guns still drawn, roll him to his stomach and cuff his hands behind his back.
About a minute later, another officer arrives and kneels down, appearing to help the other officers remove Bailey’s shirt.
More law enforcement officers arrive in squad cars.
About four minutes after the shooting, officers rolled Bailey onto his back and one began chest compressions. A firetruck arrived about three minutes later and blocks the view of the surveillance camera.
The Gazette reported the 11-minute video was captured by a camera a few blocks from the scene of a reported robbery. The footage has no sound.
Police have said in a statement that officers spoke with a robbery victim, who identified two suspects.
Officers contacted two men nearby, and one man reached for a weapon, the statement said, adding that at least one officer fired a shot.
Lawrence Stoker, Bailey’s cousin, told FOX31 he was the other suspect in the robbery call and was at the scene off Preuss Road when Bailey was shot.
“He got shot at least three, four times,” Stoker told FOX31.
Stoker also said they did not rob anyone and Bailey did not reach for a gun.
Instead, he said Bailey tried to run away.
“He didn’t get more than two feet away… and they (police) started shooting,” Stoker said. “He didn’t turn around and grab his pocket or anything.”
The Gazette reports that video from the officers’ body cameras has not been released. The sheriff’s office is investigating.
Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers asked for patience as the investigation continues.
His full statement is below:
“The City of Colorado Springs and CSPD recognize the concerns of many citizens of our community following the officer-involved shooting of Devon Bailey on Saturday night. It is in the best interest of everyone involved, and our entire community, to ensure that the incident is fully and effectively investigated and an appropriate conclusion is reached. We know that there can be frustration with the time this takes, but we cannot compromise the investigation by failing to spend the appropriate time gathering the facts; that would serve no one.
We pledge that the City and CSPD will work cooperatively and diligently with the investigating agency, the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office, to ensure a thorough evaluation of the evidence, and there is a robust process in place to accomplish this. The evidence gathered by the EPSO will be provided to the district attorney who will review the evidence and apply the Colorado law regarding use of force by police officers. The DA can decide whether or not to bring charges or refer the matter to a Grand Jury to make the determination. If the DA decides not to charge an officer with criminal conduct, he is required by law to issue a public report explaining his findings. A Grand Jury, in its discretion, can issue a report concerning its decision.
A credible investigation and charging decision takes time and I ask the community to exercise patience as we allow the investigative and judicial process to work.”
Colorado Springs police Lt. Jim Sokolik expressed a similar sentiment.
“This is a long process we don’t have all the information immediately,” said Sokolik. “I would ask for people to wait. That information obviously does come out. It will come out on what occurred.”
Colorado Springs police and the El Paso County Sheriff’s Department would not comment on the surveillance video Wednesday.