Warning: This video is disturbing.
Video released Tuesday by the Davidson County District Attorney’s Office shows that Metro Nashville Police Department Officer Andrew Delke fatally shot a fleeing Daniel Hambrick during a foot chase.
Now, Hambrick’s family wants the cop charged with homicide, according to The Tennessean.
“He was a great child,” said Vickie Hambrick. “I just want justice for my son. That’s all I ask for. And for all the young black guys and young women, I want justice for them.”
Hambrick was black. Delke is white.
“He shoots him repeatedly from behind,” said family attorney Joy Kimbrough. “He shoots him in the back of his head. In the back of his head. They shot him in the back. The police officer fired four times, three of those bullets ripped Daniel apart. He fell to the ground, where he was cuffed and left, left there like a dog. Worse than a dog.”
A police union pushed back on the homicide accusation. They argue that the shooting was justified because Hambrick allegedly had a gun on him. The Metro Nashville Police Department posted a picture of the firearm after the July 26 shooting.
“Mr. Hambrick refused to drop the pistol,” said James Smallwood, President of the Fraternal Order of Police, according to the outlet. “Had he dropped his weapon and just kept running, the conclusion of that incident would be much different than what we are faced with today. I am confident that Mr. Hambrick would still be alive.”
The union attacked the footage as “grainy,” and said it should’ve been released with the other evidence at the end of the investigation in order to provide proper context.
Footage was released after it was determined that making it public wouldn’t interfere with the probe. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation continues to look into the incident.
[Screengrab via Davidson County District Attorney’s Office and The Nashville Scene]
