Thursday, August 21, 2014
Video shows Kajieme Powell standing outside of the store he just shoplifted two drinks, where he has sat the two drinks down and is apparently waiting on the police. When police arrive Kajieme walks up and yells “Shoot me! Shoot me! Shoot me! Shoot me now, mother——!” Each officer fired six shots, according to KMOX.
St. Louis police released more details about the shooting on Wednesday. According to KMOX, Police Chief Sam Dotson said officers were called on Tuesday after Powell walked into a convenience store, took two energy drinks, exited the store without paying, and then walked back in and took a package of pastries, again leaving without paying.
Authorities said Kajieme Powell stole donuts and energy drinks from a store yesterday afternoon, which prompted the owner to call police, according to KSDK. When two officers arrived shortly before 1 p.m., they said they observed Powell acting erratically. He refused to put down a knife when commanded to do so, police said.
In a statement delivered yesterday before a crowd near the scene of the shooting, St. Louis Police Chief Sam Dotson said that both officers opened fire on Powell after the suspect came within three or four feet of police while holding the knife in an “overhand grip.” Each officer fired six shots, according to KMOX.
But the newly released cell phone footage undermines the statement, showing Powell approaching the cops, but not coming as close as was reported, with his hands at his side. The officers began shooting within 15 seconds of their arrival, hitting Powell with a barrage of bullets.
The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department released the video and 911 calls, telling St. Louis Public Radio that it plans to act transparently.
The shooting death occurred less than four miles from where Michael Brown was fatally shot by a police officer in the suburb of Ferguson on Aug. 9.
The security video from the store was also released.
