WASHINGTON — D.C. police body-camera footage released Thursday shows the events surrounding the June fatal shooting of a 63-year-old man who was holding a BB gun.
D.C. police released footage from the scene of the June 27 shooting of Sherman Evans, 63, in Northeast D.C.
Around 10:22 p.m., police responded to the 100 block of Varnum Street in Northeast for a call about a man holding a weapon. As seen in the video, police ordered Evans to drop the gun several times.
Evans refused to comply, and police say he raised the gun toward the officers — a moment the video does not capture. Police fired their guns, striking him, and while the body camera did not catch those moments, a flurry of shots can be heard.
Evans was transported to an area hospital where he died.
Police later said the weapon Evans was holding was a BB gun.
The shooting is being separately investigated by the D.C. Police Department’s Internal Affairs Bureau and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
The more than 15-minute long video was captured by a responding D.C. police officer as well as another officer who captured footage after the shooting.
Editor’s note: The video contains graphic content and language:
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser authorized the release of the footage because she said it was in the public interest and “is consistent with the goal of the District’s [Body-Worn Camera Program].”
The video’s release comes the same week as growing unrest regarding police-involved shootings of black men. Evans was black.
Late Wednesday in Minnesota, a police officer shot and killed black 32-year-old, Philando Castile, during a traffic stop. His girlfriend streamed the gruesome aftermath of the slaying live on Facebook, telling a worldwide audience that her companion had been shot “for no apparent reason” while reaching for his wallet.
Castile’s death came only days after a black 37-year-old man was killed by officers in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Alton Sterling’s death was caught on video, which took place after he scuffled with two white police officers outside a convenience store.