St. Louis, Missouri — Newly released body camera footage is raising questions about a fatal police shooting of a 17-year-old in St. Louis, contradicting the department’s initial account of the incident.
The video, released by the family of Emeshyon Wilkins, shows an officer firing as the teen ran away, with the fatal shot striking him in the back of the head. Earlier police statements had claimed Wilkins pointed a firearm at officers during the encounter.
According to investigators, the incident began in June 2024 when officers attempted to stop a reportedly stolen SUV traveling at a slow speed before Wilkins fled on foot. Attorneys for the family said the teen was carrying a disassembled firearm that was not capable of firing and noted he had no prior criminal record.
Following the release of the footage, police acknowledged that initial third-party information used in their public statements did not match what was captured on video. The department said it is reviewing procedures and will ensure body camera footage is examined more quickly before releasing future statements.
The St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s Office has opened a separate review to determine whether criminal charges are warranted. The case has drawn renewed attention to police use-of-force policies and transparency following past incidents in the region.
Sources:
- CBS News – MBFC Rating
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