EL PASO COUNTY — County commissioners have now joined Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers in saying the police body worn camera footage showing Saturday's officer-involved shooting should be released to the public.
"In order for the community to heal and come together, the investigation must be done correctly. To that end, we support transparency and the release of the footage. While CSPD is the ultimate releasing authority, we agree the release of the footage should be done at a time when it will not compromise the integrity of the investigation," states the release.
We've already seen video of the end of the chase involving two Colorado Springs Police officers and 19-year-old De'Von Bailey from the vantage point of someone's home security system on Preuss Rd.
"The fabric of our community is strong and working together in difficult times will make us even stronger," said El Paso County Commissioner Longinos Gonzalez. "While we wait for answers, I urge everyone to come together and show the nation that El Paso County can get through these tough times the right way."
Shortly after the release was sent to local media, the City of Colorado Springs announced through a spokesperson that the footage of "the moments leading up to, including and immediately following the shooting" are expected to be released late next week when the El Paso County Sheriff's Office anticipates wrapping up the preliminary investigation.
"As the releasing authority, CSPD has committed to releasing the footage only at such a time when it will not jeopardize or compromise the investigative or judicial process. We thank the community for its patience as we work through the process required to effectively investigate an officer-involved shooting," reads the statement.
Saturday's shooting on East Fountain Boulevard sparked outrage on social media that night and the following days as witnesses came forward claiming Bailey was shot in the back seven times. The results of the autopsy have not been released by the El Paso County Coroner's Office and are part of the El Paso County Sheriff's Office investigation.
Friends, family and concerned community members gathered in front of city hall and the Police Operations Center on Monday demanding the release of the video while chanting "no justice, no peace." The protest in front of the police building was cut short astwo local bounty hunters got into an altercation with protesters that resulted in the men drawing handguns, then being arrested by police for disorderly conduct.
Since then, further planned protests were cancelled at the request of De'Von Bailey's family.
MORE COVERAGE:
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Mayor John Suthers issues statement on deadly officer involved shooting
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Officer involved shooting in Colorado Springs: What surveillance video shows and does not show
Neighbors outraged over officer-involved shooting, vigil held Sunday
Protesters in Colorado Springs demand answers for officer-involved shooting
