Texas prosecutor: 2nd video has emerged giving ‘clear view’ of deputies who
Video has emerged that appears to show two Texas police officers killing a man who had his hands up.
The Bexar County Sheriff’s Office said Monday that 41-year-old Gilbert Flores died after the shooting Friday.
In it, Flores is shirtless, running in front of a home in San Antonio as the two sheriff’s deputies approach him as they investigate a domestic violence call.
He then turns his back and walks away, disappearing out of the camera’s view behind a police SUV. It isn’t clear how many shots were fired or how many times Flores was hit.
The deputies have been placed on paid administrative leave amid an investigation.
“Certainly, what’s in the video is a cause for concern”, Sheriff Susan Pamerleau said at a Friday news conference. “It’s important in every investigation regardless of whether not it involves one of our officers or citizen of Bexar County (that) we do a thorough and complete investigation to get all the facts”.
The station said it decided to post the video in its entirety, including the moment Flores was shot, because it “allows for viewers to make their own decision”.
Deputies also found a man at the scene they believed to be a suspect in the assault. But her office later criticized the release of the video as “unethical” and “sensational”.
The sheriff’s office acknowledged Thomas recorded the shooting on his phone.
“I trust that District Attorney Nico LaHood will pursue an indictment if all the evidence merits it.”Wolff said he would also be looking at the county’s use-of-force policies to see if changes needed to be made”.
Meanwhile, Sheriff’s Office spokesman James Keith has confirmed to ABC News that there is a second video of the shooting that was filmed by a neighbor.
Thomas signed the video over to KSAT exclusively, preventing him from selling the footage to other outlets, according to Dillon Collier, a reporter for the San Antonio station KENS 5.
According to the authorities, Flores resisted arrest and nonlethal techniques were used before guns were drawn.
In this image from video, Walter Scott is shot by police officer Michael Thomas Slager in North Charleston, South Carolina, on April 4.
The station posted what it said was the entire video on its website.
“This is a very unique situation where we actually have the shooting on video”, LaHood said.
Hours later, the sheriff’s office sent out a message with the following statement: “In regards to the deputy involved shooting, we’re asking for calm and patience”.
On Monday, the sheriff’s office tweeted a statement that said “broadcasting a man’s death for $100 sparked threats to our deputies’ lives”.