WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Division has opened a federal civil rights investigation after a U.S. Park Police officer fatally shot a 17-year-old who drove off with an officer within the again seat after {the teenager} was discovered asleep in a suspected stolen automobile.
The FBI and the U.S. legal professional’s workplace in Washington launched the investigation this week after federal officers launched body-worn digital camera footage exhibiting the officer fatally capturing Dalaneo Martin final month.
The police video is without doubt one of the first launched by the Nationwide Park Service and follows a 2022 order by Inside Secretary Deb Haaland requiring the agency’s 3,000 law enforcement officers to put on physique cameras. Additionally it is one of many first occasions body-worn digital camera footage has ever been launched by a federal regulation enforcement company.
Martin’s dying comes amid an ongoing nationwide reckoning over authorities’ use of pressure and months because the beating death of Tyre Nichols by police in Memphis, Tennessee, renewed scrutiny on this subject after widespread protests over the dying of George Floyd in Minneapolis in 2020.
The March 18 encounter started round 9 a.m. when two Park Law enforcement officials have been known as by a Metropolitan Police Division officer who was responding to a report of a suspicious car in northeast Washington. A number of officers surrounded the automobile, noticed Martin asleep behind the steering wheel and instructed dispatchers that the ignition of the automobile was “punched,” an indication the automobile is likely to be stolen, authorities stated.
Because the officers moved towards the car, footage confirmed them opening the again passenger’s facet door and a Park Police officer climbing into the again seat. However Martin awoke and began to drive away, briefly dragging one other officer exterior the automobile.
Whereas within the again seat, the officer shouted to Martin, “Cease, man, simply let me out.” As Martin continued to drive, the officer drew his gun and known as out, “Cease. Cease or I’ll shoot.”
A couple of second later, the officer fired repeatedly, placing Martin within the again a number of occasions.
The automobile crashed right into a home after Martin was shot. He was later pronounced lifeless on the scene. The officer was not critically injured and nobody within the residence was damage. A gun was discovered contained in the automobile, police stated.
“The lack of a life is all the time tragic however is particularly heartbreaking when it includes a toddler,” the U.S. legal professional’s workplace stated in a press release asserting the investigation.
Park Law enforcement officials commonly patrol within the Washington space, the place the Park Service has a big footprint. Underneath the regulation, these federal officers have the identical policing powers within the nation’s capital as metropolis law enforcement officials.
The Park Police union stated the officer contained in the automobile was at “speedy threat of dying” when he fired in his weapon, and that the officer exterior the automobile hit his head on the pavement when he fell freed from the fleeing automobile. The union’s board stated in a press release that each officers adopted all insurance policies and legal guidelines.
The officer is on paid administrative depart, stated a Park Police spokesperson who declined to launch the officer’s identify.
Martin’s household has stated the officer who shot the 17-year-old ought to be arrested.
“I don’t sleep. I don’t eat. And justice must be served,” his mom, Terra Martin, stated Wednesday.