A woman was shot by federal agents in Chicago after allegedly ramming a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) vehicle, with her attorney claiming body-camera footage shows an officer saying, “Do something, bitch,” before opening fire. The government alleges that the woman and another individual were part of a convoy that boxed in the CBP vehicle before the shooting. Both individuals were charged with assaulting a federal officer but were later released pending trial, with conflicting accounts emerging regarding the events. Federal officials claim the woman was armed and had previously published agents’ information online, while the defense disputes the government’s portrayal of the incident, citing the body cam footage.
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On September 28th, the Grand Blanc Township Police Department released body camera footage. The video depicts an officer’s encounter with Thomas Sanford during an attack at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on McCandlish Road. The footage shows the officer confronting Sanford, culminating in the officer shooting him. This release allows the public to view the events as they unfolded.
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In the case of Robert Brooks, a Black inmate who died after being brutally beaten at a New York prison, four guards have pleaded guilty. These pleas came just before the trial for the other guards indicted in February. Nicholas Anzalone and Anthony Farina, both facing the top charge of murder, pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter and will be sentenced to 22 years in prison. Two other guards also pleaded guilty to second-degree manslaughter, with varying sentences. The beating, which was captured on video, triggered outrage and calls for prison reform.
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Newly released police body camera footage details the agonizingly slow response of law enforcement to the Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde, Texas, on May 24, 2022, where 19 students and two teachers were killed. The videos show desperate parents pleading with officers to confront the gunman, 18-year-old Salvador Ramos, while officers hesitated and struggled with confusion and delays. Additionally, records reveal that deputies visited the gunman’s home months prior, after his mother expressed fear of him. Ultimately, nearly 400 officers waited over 70 minutes before engaging the shooter, facing criticism for prioritizing their own safety over the lives of those inside.
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Alabama Governor Kay Ivey is supporting the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s decision to withhold body camera footage related to the fatal police shooting of Jabari Peoples, citing the need for a thorough investigation. The shooting occurred when a Homewood Police Department officer approached Peoples, an 18-year-old Black college freshman, at a soccer complex. Peoples’ family and girlfriend dispute the police’s account of the events, particularly the claim that Peoples reached for a gun, leading to demands for the video’s release from the family, local leaders, and Homewood residents. Despite these calls, the agency has not released the video as protests and threats of boycotts are made by the public.
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Following a neo-Nazi demonstration near Lockland Local Schools, Evendale police body camera footage reveals interactions between officers and the group. The footage shows the neo-Nazis’ departure in a U-Haul, leaving behind a vehicle and a service dog. Subsequent footage depicts the retrieval of one neo-Nazi and attempts to recover the abandoned Jeep, which had its tires slashed. Ultimately, the Jeep’s owner was transported to the Evendale Police Department due to safety concerns, and the Hamilton County Sheriff described the group as a small, cowardly entity. A third-party investigation into the police response is being sought by the school board.
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Ohio’s recent law allows police departments to charge up to $750 for body camera footage, sparking outrage among civil rights advocates and families of police brutality victims. This fee, slipped into an omnibus bill without public input, hinders access to crucial evidence like that which led to charges against Officer Ricky Anderson for the killing of Donovan Lewis. Advocates argue this creates a paywall to transparency and accountability, particularly impacting those already grieving and seeking justice. The law’s purported goal is to deter profit-driven content creators, but critics contend it disproportionately affects those directly impacted by police violence.
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John Q. Hosedrinker