North Carolina City Declares State of Emergency Ahead of Family Viewing Body Camera Footage of Fatal Police Shooting
A North Carolina city has declared a State of Emergency Monday ahead of the family of Andrew Brown Jr. viewing body camera of the fatal police shooting
Elizabeth City is bracing for riots as the family has been leading protests since the shooting. They are expected to view the footage at the Pasquotank County Sheriff’s Office on Monday afternoon.
“City officials realize there may potentially be a period of civil unrest within the city following the public release of that footage,” Mayor Bettie Parker said in the emergency declaration.
An angry mob of about 100 BLM protesters gathered in front of the City Council last week after news of the incident broke.
According to reports, deputies were serving a search warrant Wednesday morning when Brown, 40, refused to comply and entered his vehicle — at which point the officers opened fire.
In order for the footage to be released to the public, court approval is required. Sheriff Tommy Wooten said that he would be seeking approval as soon as Monday, but not until the State Bureau of Investigation says that it will not compromise their investigation.
Chairman Lloyd Griffin has asked for the community to be patient and wait for information.
“Rushing the gathering of evidence and interviewing of witnesses would hurt any future legal case that might be brought in the wake of this tragedy,” Griffin said. “Justice, when done right, takes time.”
Seven deputies have been placed on administrative leave since the shooting.
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