Police Body Camera Footage is Released Showing the Alleged Fatal Police Shooting of Elijah James Smith in West Valley City, Utah
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Recently released body camera video footage of the alleged fatal police shooting of 20-year-old Elijah James Smith in West Valley City, Utah, is stirring continued controversy over his death. The alleged shooting occurred on April 8, 2018, at about 3:30 p.m. The video shows police officers arriving at someone’s home. The person, a 13-year-old boy, guides the three officers to the garage, where “some guy” was, and he was referring to Smith, who had allegedly forced his way into the home. Police tell Smith to put both hands up. The video shows that his left hand is up and the other appears to reach for the right pocket to pull something out. One officer opened fire with his handgun, and the other used an electronic weapon. Although the electronic weapon missed, one of three bullets fired allegedly fatally struck Smith. Police say they found a modified screwdriver on the floor next to Smith. Activists are claiming that it is a case of murder and another example of officers allegedly using anything they want to see as justification for violence against black people.
According to police, Smith matched the description of the suspect in a theft from a cell phone store nearby, and he was running away from police when he knocked on the door of the home he was shot at. The teenager at the home said Smith aggressively barged in through the front door saying something like he needed a drink of water. Two other children, ages 9 and 10, were in the house at the time of the alleged fatal police shooting. No one else was injured. Two cell phones were found at the house, and investigators were going to identify whether they were from the cell phone store that had been robbed.
One officer said Smith had intruded into another person’s backyard during the attempt to escape police. Smith left after the homeowner reportedly told him to.
The police officer who allegedly fired his handgun is on administrative leave while an investigation is conducted of the alleged fatal police-involved shooting. Activists are claiming it was a case of excessive force and that the officer should be fired.
As with every post on this website, we are only providing information in this post and do not make any allegation or assertion that anyone acted inappropriately or engaged in misconduct.
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