St. Louis Police Exposed for Lying About Fatal Shooting of Black Teen
A shocking revelation has emerged in St. Louis, where police body camera footage has revealed a stark contradiction to the initial account given by authorities. The video shows a police officer shooting Emeshyon Wilkins, a 17-year-old Black teenager, in the back of the head as he fled, contradicting the police's claim that he 'turned and pointed a gun at officers' when the detective shot him.Police Lied About Fatal Shooting
The body camera footage, obtained by Al Watkins, an attorney for Wilkins' family, shows the officer yelling at the teen to get on the ground as he raises his firearm. The officer can be heard telling the teen to drop a gun, but the video doesn't show the teen holding the firearm in his hand or pointing it at the officer. One of the four bullets struck the teen in the back of the head, killing him.
Contradicting Initial Account
The police department initially claimed that Wilkins 'turned and pointed a gun at officers when the detective shot the armed suspect.' However, the video footage reveals a different story. The officer's actions are in stark contrast to what was initially reported by authorities.
Family's Fight for Transparency
Al Watkins expressed his frustration with the police department's handling of the case, stating that they 'fought' to release the video and had to file a federal lawsuit to obtain it. He emphasized that this lack of transparency is 'not consistent with the actual events or what was initially shared with the community.'
Police Department's Admission
In a surprising admission, the police department acknowledged that 'information provided by a third-party to investigators in the immediate aftermath of the incident was not consistent with the actual events or what was initially shared with the community.' This statement raises questions about the reliability of initial reports and the need for transparency in such cases.
The release of the body camera footage has exposed a disturbing pattern of police dishonesty, highlighting the need for greater accountability and transparency. As we continue to grapple with issues of police brutality and racial bias, it is essential that we demand truth and justice for victims like Emeshyon Wilkins.
