FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Police have released body-camera footage from a fatal officer-involved shooting of a man who fled from officers before producing a replica firearm, WSVN reported.
The Fort Lauderdale Police Department made the video public on July 17, along with an update that the officer involved had returned to full duty. The footage shows the confrontation that ended with the Jan. 19 fatal shooting of a man who was found to be carrying an airsoft replica firearm.
According to investigators, the incident began when officers attempted to stop a silver Mercedes driven by the suspect, who reportedly refused to pull over. Officers called for backup as the vehicle continued eastbound.
Video shows the suspect pulling into a gas station. As an officer approaches, the suspect exits the vehicle, appears to retrieve a firearm from his waistband, and runs.
“Put your hands up! Put your hands up!” an officer is heard shouting before opening fire.
The suspect was struck and fell to the ground. Officers recovered the weapon, which was later confirmed to be a replica air-powered gun with no identifying colored markings.
Fort Lauderdale Police Capt. David Cortes stated in the department’s public video that the lack of visual indicators that the weapon was a replica contributed to the perceived threat.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is reviewing the shooting, which is standard protocol.
