Body Camera Video Documents Tense Moments Leading Up To Harrisville Officer-Involved Shooting
Apr 4, 2019, 10:54 PM
HARRISVILLE, Utah — Newly-released body camera video shows the tense moments that led up to an officer-involved shooting in Harrisville.
On Mar. 23, officers showed up to an apartment at 2510 N. Charleston Ave. on the report of a domestic violence dispute.
After finding an open door, officers are heard on the video calling out whoever was inside.
Eventually, a man who appears to be holding something in each hand emerges.
“Hey, police! Come talk to us!” one officer is heard saying. “What do you got there! Put those down! Put those down! Drop the weapons now! Drop the gun, drop the knives now!”
The officers appear to retreat as the man approaches them, following them out the door.
Moments later, the video shows him turning back into the apartment and attempting to shut the door as a TASER is fired, blocking the cartridge.
Following close to 20 more commands and warnings, including that the man would be shot if he did not comply, officers fired at least 15 shots, dropping the man to the ground.
The man survived the shooting.
The officers were placed on paid administrative leave pending the investigation.
That investigation was continuing Thursday, according to the Weber County Attorney’s Office, which released the video.
Lex Scott with Black Lives Matter Utah identified the man who was shot as Jamal Bell.
“He’s in the hospital, he can’t walk—this is excessive force,” Scott said.
Scott said she did not speak for the family, but forwarded a statement on behalf of Bell’s mother, Chandra Bell.
“We are grateful for the outpouring of love and support we have received during this trying time,” the statement read. “We would ask at this time you please respect our privacy. We will make a statement when the time is appropriate.”
