The St. Louis County Police Department released surveillance footage Tuesday that they say shows Tyrone Harris pulling a gun out of his waistband. Harris, 18, was shot by police in Ferguson on the night of August 9 after he allegedly fired at undercover officers.
The day marked the first anniversary of the police shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, and demonstrations throughout the day were peaceful. That evening violence erupted.
“The video shows Harris grab a handgun out of his waistband once shots are fired during the protest in the W. Florissant corridor seconds prior to the officer involved shooting,” says Shawn McGuire, media relations officer for the St. Louis County Police Department. Harris was in critical condition after the shooting, and was subsequently charged with several felonies, including 1st degree assault on law enforcement officers. McGuire says police are still investigating the incident.
St. Louis County Police Chief Jon Belmar held an early-morning press conference in the hours after Harris’ shooting, saying that he had fired shots at four plainclothes officers who were in an unmarked police van. The officers returned fire from the vehicle, critically wounding Harris. The department tweeted pictures of the what it said was the shot up vehicle shortly after the shooting.
(1/2) A St. Louis County officer was involved in an officer-involved shooting after comin g under heavy gunfire. pic.twitter.com/L4PqopaEF1
— St. Louis County PD (@stlcountypd) August 10, 2015
(2/2) During the gunfire, at least 2 unmarked cars took shots. We will release more details when available. pic.twitter.com/luPnp6iXqZ
— St. Louis County PD (@stlcountypd) August 10, 2015
Shortly after the shooting, a Twitter user named @search4swag posted video of Harris lying on the ground bleeding, with officers standing around him.
— Search4Swag (@search4swag) August 10, 2015
Video captured by RT also captured the shooting, but from the other side of the street.
