North Carolina Protesters Are Calling For Body Camera Footage Of Fatal Police Shooting To Be Released

Demonstrations over the fatal police shooting of 40 year old Andrew Brown Jr. continued in Elizabeth City North Carolina yesterday. On Wednesday morning, the Pasquotank County Sheriff’s Office was attempting to serve an arrest warrant related to drug charges on Brown when his car pulled away and deputies fired shots. Brown has a history of resisting arrest. A neighbor who witnessed the event said the vehicle drove through an open lot, crossed a road, struck a tree and came to rest. Two neighbors said deputies pulled Brown out and attempted lifesaving medical intervention.

Protesters are calling for the body camera footage from the incident to be released and say they will continue protests until authorities make clear what happened. According to a statement from the District Attorney Andrew Womble and the Pasquotank County Attorney R. Michael Cox, body cam footage of the incident cannot be released without court order.  Womble said “we must follow the law and the law prohibits us from publicly releasing the body worn camera footage.” He added “the law does allow a private viewing by the family of Mr. Brown we are working with their attorney to arrange that.” The deputy involved in the shooting is on leave and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation is investigating.