AUTHORITIES IN THE US have released a video that shows the moments a black man was shot dead by a reserve sheriff’s deputy.
Police in Tulsa, Oklahoma claim that the officer, 73-year-old reserve Robert Bates, thought he was holding his taser and was attempted to subdue Eric Harris when he shot him dead.
Harris was pinned to the floor having been caught in, and running from, a police sting moments before for illegally selling firearms.
In the video, Bates warns fellow officers he is going to use his stun gun on Harris, before firing a shot from a police-issued handgun. Immediately after firing, he shouts:
I shot him! I’m sorry!
Harris then shouts:
He shot me. He shot me. Oh my God. I’m losing my breath.
Unidentified officers are then heard to tell Harris:
You shouldn’t have fucking ran.
and
Fuck your breath.
*THIS VIDEO MAY UPSET SOME VIEWERS*
Harris was treated at the scene, but died at a local hospital. His family requested the video, which came from sunglass cameras used by officers be released of the 2 April shooting.
Tulsa World reports that Bates is an insurance company executive who was working undercover for Tulsa County Sheriff’s Department.
Tulsa Police Sergeant Jim Clark said his department was not investigating the incident and told the LA Times that Bates was a victim.
“It is my opinion, after reviewing all the facts and circumstances of this case, [the state’s excusable homicide statute] was applicable in this incident,” Clark said.
“Reserve Deputy Bates did not commit a crime. Reserve Deputy Bates was a victim, a true victim, of ‘slips and capture.’ There’s no other determination I could come to.”
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