Wisconsin Attorney Brad Schimel says body camera footage of the officer-involved shooting will not be released until the investigation is over.
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Schimel’s office is reviewing the incident, to help determine whether police acted appropriately.
The state is examining the fatal shooting last weekend of 23-year-old Sylville K. Smith. Milwaukee Police Chief Edward Flynn said the video clearly shows Smith was holding a handgun and turned toward the officer when he was shot.
According to the AG, the officer’s body camera – and another – recorded events. Schimel says the videos won’t be released until after the county prosecutor decides whether to charge the officer.
He said there was a 30-second gap between the start of one of the cameras’ image recording, when Smith was pulled over in a traffic stop, and the start of its audio portion. “They are still working on DNA examination of the firearm”, Schimel said.
Smith’s death resulted in two nights of violent protests in Milwaukee, during which multiple people were injured and several businesses were burned down.
Schimel said his investigators have interviewed all “critical witnesses” at least once, but the investigation into the fatal shooting of Smith is not yet complete.
At the press conference Monday, Schimel added that Smith’s family is cooperating, but added they distrust the system.
The ACLU and others have pressed the state to release that video as soon as possible.
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Wisconsin law requires that police shootings be investigated by an independent state agency, which controls evidence.
