Protests against police brutality that have swept across the world were reignited in Salt Lake City after police released body camera footage of officers shooting a man more than 20 times as he ran away.
Bernardo Palacios-Carbajal, 22, was shot and killed May 23 while being chased by police after he ran from the scene of a gun threat. He had allegedly robbed someone at gunpoint outside a strip club. Officers said they found a gun near Palacios-Carbajal’s body.
In videos released, officers shout “stop,” “show me your hands,” or “drop it,” referring to a gun, 17 times as they chase after Palacios-Carbajal, who stumbles and falls multiple times before continuing to run away. The officers begin shooting after the man fell and appeared to pick something up before starting to run again.
The footage does not appear to show Palacios-Carbajal pointing a gun at the officers.
At least 20 shots can be heard in the footage. Two officers have been placed on administrative leave, pending an investigation.
Mayor Erin Mendenhall called the video “disturbing and upsetting” and said she expects the investigation to be handled quickly and with transparency.
“Right now, given all that our country is going through, in particular the rawness and fear that so many people of color are feeling, outrage is understandable,” Mendenhall said Friday. “I know that I haven’t walked in your shoes, but I will walk with you. I hear you, and I accept the work that’s being asked of us.”
The family of Palacios-Carbajal met with police on Friday and watched the footage before it was released publicly. They have called for the officers to be criminally charged.
“They didn’t have to kill him,” Elsa Karina Palacios, his sister, told The Salt Lake Tribune. “They didn’t have to shoot him so many times. He was running. He was scared. He would still be here.”
Salt Lake City Police Chief Mike Brown asked the city to “remain calm” as the investigation takes place, according to Deseret News.
“We hear you. We want to discuss this. But I’m asking for the city to remain calm,” he said.
With Wire News Services
