Attorneys release statement for IMPD officer shown in video fatally shooting man
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — News 8 got reaction Wednesday from the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officer in a deadly police shooting.
News 8 first showed viewers the bodycam video on Tuesday. It shows IMPD Officer Douglass Correll shooting and killing Gary Harrell. Correll appears to shoot Harrell in the back as he was running away. It came after Harrell grabbed a gun from his car and started running.
Correll’s attorneys, John Kautzman and Leo Blackwell, issued the statement shortly before 5 p.m. Wednesday.
“The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department released body camera footage yesterday regarding the fatal police shooting earlier this month involving IMPD Officer Douglas Correll.
“We first and foremost acknowledge that any death is a tragedy and the thoughts of Officer Correll and the law enforcement community go out to the Harrell family.
“We endorse and reiterate the comments of Chief Randal Taylor calling for a ‘thorough and complete’ investigation to be done before any conclusions are made. A legal analysis of this encounter cannot be based solely upon the cursory examination of video footage. We look forward to the investigation revealing exactly what information was known to the officer at the time, precisely what actions Mr. Harrell took, and all actions taken by Officer Correll pursuant to his training and experience. Like all other significant decisions, the review of an incident like this cannot be rushed, and should rise and fall based upon a detailed review of the totality of circumstances.
“Departmental policies, Indiana statute, and U.S. Supreme Court caselaw allows an officer to use deadly force in several circumstances, especially in tense, uncertain and rapidly evolving situations. We therefore must await a full and fair investigative process.
“Far too often, political pundits and others are quick to judge police action shootings based upon little more than a snippet of video. Fortunately, longstanding legal precedent requires a much more thorough analysis.
“We look forward to a fair and impartial review of this matter free of political influence and undue public pressure. That is the only way to arrive at a final determination based solely upon the evidence.”
Statement from John Kautzman and Leo Blackwell, attorneys for Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Officer Douglas Correll
This story was created from a script aired on WISH-TV.
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