GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The Grand Rapids Police Department (GRPD) has released body worn and dashboard camera video from an officer-involved shooting over the weekend.
Chief Eric Winstrom showed the footage during a press conference Sunday afternoon.
The shooting happened around 8:35 a.m. on Saturday near Union Avenue and Innes Street on the city’s northeast side. According to the department, two officers were originally dispatched to the area for an assault call.
Upon arrival, the first officer found a 19-year-old man in an alleyway nearby.
Body camera video shows him telling the the man to keep his hands on his head after the man told the officer he had a boxcutter in his pocket.
The man initially complied but ultimately ran at the officer with a boxcutter in his left hand. The officer fired three shots. Winstrom says two of the rounds hit the man in his chest and stomach, which caused him to fall onto the ground.
From there, a second officer arrived on scene. As he walked up, the man then got back onto his feet and ran into the garage of a nearby home with two people inside at the time.
In the footage, officers can be heard telling the man to get down on the ground. He responds and tells them he has a knife.
Moments later, the man runs out of the garage and towards officers again. The officer, who first fired the shots, unsuccessfully deployed a taser at him, which led the other officer to fire a single round.
According to Winstrom, it hit the man in his arm. He was taken to the hospital for treatment and is expected to be ok.
Michigan State Police is investigating the shooting, which is standard. Both officers, who each have more than 20 years of law enforcement experience, are on administrative leave pending the outcome of the findings.
On Sunday, the Office of Oversight and Public Accountability - Grand Rapids released a statement:
"As you may have now learned, an officer involved shooting occurred on Saturday, December 16th in the area of Union Avenue NE and Innes Street NE in the City of Grand Rapids. Chief Winstrom and the GRPD have provided preliminary information regarding this incident via a press briefing this afternoon. Preliminary information and video review suggests the following: Officers responded to the area on a "trouble with a person" call. Officers observed a man acting erratically. While officers were addressing the individual, the man produced an edged weapon and charged at the officers. Officers then fired shots at the individual in hopes of stopping the attack. The 19-year old male was struck by the shots and transported to the hospital. The man did undergo surgery and is still under hospital care.
"OPA is grateful to Chief Winstrom and the Grand Rapids Police Department for working quickly to Body Camera Video clips to ensure transparency and accountability. A link to those video clips may be found in the comments. Pursuant to Administrative Policy 15-02, this incident is being investigated by the Michigan State Police.
"It should be noted that Chief Winstrom and GRPD properly noticed OPA of this incident and OPA Staff did report to the scene of the incident. In the case of Officer Involved Shootings, the Michigan State Police are the primary investigators. The role of the Office of Oversight and Public Accountability is to review the any internal affairs investigation that follows the MSP investigation. During Internal Affairs investigations of Officer Involved Shootings, OPA is provided periodic updates by GRPD, and OPA provides a full audit post investigation. OPA will review all video, and all available evidence to the extent allowed by law. OPA later evaluates findings contained in Internal Affairs reports. After the investigations are complete, OPA will release audit findings publicly, redacted to the extent required by law, within 45 days of the conclusion of IA's investigation."
