Richmond Police share bodycam video of officerinvolved shooting that left a man dead
Nov 01, 2024
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Richmond Police have released body camera footage from an officer-involved shooting on Oct. 15.
The video released by police includes 911 call information, video and audio from the body-worn cameras of the officers at the scene, evidence photos and audio from a recording device inside the home.
8News has blurred some of the 30 minute video, but it still could be difficult to watch.
That footage begins just before 7:30 p.m., when Richmond police officers were called to the 2900 block of E. Broad Street for a mental health call. They received information that 36-year-old Kyle Harris was holding a woman hostage with a knife or axe.
Harris cut off power in the home, so when officers arrived it was dark. Officers entered and negotiated with Harris to come to the front of the house.
"Richmond Police Department, can you come to the front," footage shows officers saying to Harris.
"No, I need you to back up, I'm armed," Harris replies in the video.
Officers discovered it was a hatchet that Harris was holding, and the negotiating and back-and-forth pleading continues on for most of the video.
"Ma’am [the officer addresses the woman Harris was holding hostage, who he said was his wife], we’d like to talk to you can you come to the front door," officers asked, to which Harris responded, "She can't come."
In between, you will see the moment officers called for backup, and when they eventually find Harris. The original officers who arrived on the scene did switch from a weapon to a taser, but the fifth officer fired the shot when they entered the room.
It was followed by two officers tasing Harris, who was then immediately rushed outside for medical treatment.
Harris died the next morning at a local hospital, and the fifth officer has been placed on paid administrative leave, per department policy.
In an email from police, it was said that Chief Rick Edwards pledged to release these CIB videos following deadly incidents of officer-involved shootings with the goal of furthering transparency and trust with the department.
Once a full investigative report is complete, police said the report will be submitted to the Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney. Following the determination from that office, police will conduct an internal policy review.
Per department policy, the officer who fired his service weapon is on administrative leave with pay.