Baltimore police video shows moments leading to officers shooting, killing teenager
BALTIMORE -- Baltimore City Police released body cam footage showing the moments that led to officers shooting and killing a 17-year-old with a firearm on Monday night.
In the video, an officer is seen chasing down the teenage boy, now identified as William Gardner, down North Stricker Street.
The unit was originally in the area to further investigate a shooting that took place an hour earlier.
The department says the teen was standing with a group, grabbing his waistband, and doing what appeared to be a quote "security check."
"This could be indicative of an individual who has a firearm in their waistband...checking to see that it's still there, not falling or moving," Brian Nadeau, BPD Deputy Commissioner said.
Gardner ran away when officers tried to engage with him, Baltimore Police Commissioner Richard Worley said in a news conference on Monday.
The agency says that an officer got out of a patrol car to talk with the teen but he began to run away.
Two officers chased Gardner in the car while one ran after him. The officers in the car warned the teen multiple times as they yelled "Get on the ground" or "You're gonna get shot".
The juvenile continued to attempt to get away.
As Gardner approached an intersection, he pulled a gun off his hip and aimed it at the officer chasing him. At this point, officers shot and killed Gardner.
In a press conference officials say officers fired as many as 21 shots.
The three officers involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative duties, which is protocol.
Whether or not the officers used excessive force is still being determined as the shooting is under investigation by the BPD, the Office of the Attorney General, and the Maryland State Police.
Hours after the family was shown the body-worn camera video Friday, a group gathered at the site of the shooting.
Gardner was weeks away from becoming a father.
"Keep your head up. I just hope something good comes out of this," a neighbor said.
A vigil for Gardner will be held Saturday at 6 p.m.
