A Washington, D.C. police officer shot and killed 18 year old Deon Kay in Southeast D.C., and police have now released body camera footage from the moments before the shooting. The release followed a night of protests.
Washington 4 reports the incident happened Wednesday just before 4 p.m. east of Joint Base Anacostia Bolling. Police say officers were investigating a report of a man with a gun. When they arrived, several people were gathered around a vehicle, and two of them ran when they saw the police cars. Police say officers chased them and that Deon pulled out a gun during the pursuit. Officers fired, and he was pronounced dead at a hospital.
Police say two other teens were arrested. Marcyelle, 19, was charged with carrying a pistol without a license, and Deonte, 18, was arrested on a charge of having no permit.
Protesters gathered Wednesday night outside the police department’s 7th District station on Alabama Avenue SE calling for justice. Many questioned whether Deon had a gun before police released their account. Ward 8 Council Member Trayon White said Deon’s mother told her that her son was “a kid” and lived about two blocks from where he was shot. The officers involved were placed on administrative leave.
Police say the officer who shot Deon was identified Thursday as Alexander. According to the footage police released, an officer chases Deon near an apartment complex and tells him, “Don’t move!” Police say the footage shows Deon running toward officers with a gun in his hand before tossing it about 98 feet away. The video then shows an officer searching a grassy area for the gun, which police say was thrown there. The footage runs about 11 minutes, and The Daily Mail also reported on it.
At a Thursday press conference, Police Chief Peter Newsham said Deon was known to police and had prior contact with the criminal justice system. “This is a tragedy to have any young person killed in the District of Columbia,” he said. The shooting has prompted an investigation.
Mayor Muriel Bowser called the shooting “tragic.” She said Deon’s mother has been offered counseling support and was allowed to view the footage before it was released to the public.
Made to order and shipped to your door.
If he was WHITE whether he had a gun or not, he would still be alive! How is that???? This shit is bullshit because they’re going to justify this shit. Smh it’s tiring & SAD!