Surveillance video shows two Colorado Springs police officers shot a 19-year-old African American robbery suspect in the back while he ran away from the officers on foot on Saturday, the Colorado Springs Gazette newspaper reported after obtaining the footage Tuesday.
The police officers, who have not been publicly identified, appear to be white in the video, the newspaper reported.
Colorado Springs police have said one of the officers shot De’Von Malik Bailey once after he reached for a gun Saturday evening in the 2400 block of East Fountain Boulevard. A gun was recovered from the shooting scene, Colorado Springs police reported.
The Denver Post requested a copy of the video Wednesday morning, but has yet to receive one.
The shooting has triggered protests outside Colorado Springs Police Department headquarters. Two bail bondsmen were arrested Monday after they allegedly drew guns during a scuffle with demonstrators who were protesting the shooting of Bailey, according to The Associated Press.
When officers responded to a robbery report at about 6:45 p.m. Saturday, the alleged victim identified two suspects. One of the suspects went to grab a firearm and was shot, the police news release said.
“At least one officer fired a shot at the suspect,” police said on Tuesday.
The coroner’s office has not yet ruled on the cause and manner of Bailey’s death. An investigation is ongoing.
Lt. Jim Sokolik, Colorado Springs police spokesman, said Wednesday that the department does not have a copy of the surveillance video and referred comment to the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office, which is investigating the shooting.
The two officers were wearing body cameras but that video will not be released pending the outcome of the investigation, Sokolik said.
The police department is not releasing the names of the two officers who were involved in the shooting. They have been placed on administrative leave, which is routine after a shooting, Sokolik said. The police department’s internal affairs office also is conducting an investigation, which is customary in all officer-involved shootings, Sokolik said.
At the time of the shooting, Bailey was out of jail on bail after he was charged April 8 on three felony counts, including attempted sexual assault on a child by someone in a position of trust, said El Paso County District Court records. The charge indicated there had been a pattern of abuse.
Bailey pleaded not guilty to the charges on July 29, court records show. A jury trial on the sexual assault charge was scheduled for Jan. 7.
Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers released a statement Tuesday on the fatal officer-involved shooting.
“The City of Colorado Springs and (police) recognize the concerns of many citizens of our community following the officer-involved shooting of De’ Von Bailey on Saturday night,” Suthers statement said. “It is in the best interest of everyone involved, and our entire community, to ensure that the incident is fully and effectively investigated and an appropriate conclusion is reached.”