Virginia Deputy Shot Unarmed Black Man After Mistaking House Phone For Gun

Once again, a police officer has mistaken a phone for a gun and shot an unarmed Black man, this time in Virginia. 

On Friday, body camera footage and 911 audio were released that show a deputy thought Isaiah Brown, 32, held a gun, which turned out to be a cordless house phone. Brown was subsequently struck 10 times during the gunfire and is currently in intensive care, according to local outlet WTVR.

The body camera footage shows the deputy, who was known to Brown, arriving at the scene and screaming at Brown to show his hands. He then tells Brown repeatedly to “drop the gun” and radios in that “he’s got a gun to his head.” He also yells “stop walking toward me” and “stop, stop” before firing. 

The 911 audio shows that Brown was on the phone with the dispatcher when the deputy arrived. The officer can be heard yelling in the audio.

“It is evident that the tragic shooting of Isaiah Brown was completely avoidable,” said David Haynes, Brown’s attorney, in a statement Friday. “The deputy in question made multiple basic policing errors and violated established protocols. The deputy was situated nearly 50 feet from Isaiah, was never threatened, and should not have discharged his weapon.”

The outlet reports that according to Sheriff Roger L. Harris, the officer, who has not been identified, has been placed on administrative leave. The shooting is under investigation by the Virginia State Police. A special prosecutor has been appointed to oversee the case.

Earlier the same day, the police officer that shot Brown had given him a ride home when his car broke down. 911 was called to the house later in the day for a domestic issue between Brown and his brother.