Sacrament, Calif. - by Robert J Hansen
Earlier this evening, the Reno Police Department released the body camera footage of the police shooting of Sacramento native Isaiah Herndon which occurred on November 5.
Herndon is seen pointing a gun at an officer after opening his door, appears to have fired a round at the officer.
Officers immediately opened fire on Herndon which led to the injuries he is recovering from in a Reno hospital.
Adam Blount, Reno PD Public information officer, said the video is intended to give a better understanding of what happened that night based on what is known at this time.
“This video is not intended to draw any conclusions on whether or not the involved officers acted consistently with our policies or law until the facts are known and the investigation is complete,” Blount said.
“The video provided in this briefing was provided by body-worn cameras by officers involved, as well as the Reno dispatch recording of the initial call for service,” Oliver Miller, Reno PD Deputy Chief said.
Miller said in officer-involved shootings it is department policy to be investigated by an outside agency.
“The investigating agency will evaluate the facts and evidence and submit, in its entirety, to the Washoe County district attorney’s office,” Miller said.
Voice of the Youth founder Berry Accius thinks that the police didn’t approach the situation in a way to defuse the situation such as announcing themselves as police.
“The frustration of wishing and hoping Isaiah would have made better decisions because allowing himself to let Reno PD make decisions for him I came out to this unfortunate outcome,” Accius said. “We’re still praying and still fighting for him and will continue to push for better practices from law enforcement across the board.”
Accius said if police were more transparent from the beginning the community would have had more patience with the police providing information.
“It speaks to everything the activism created in the last two days, from not knowing anything, was the work of the people, his sister, myself and my organization, just really making sure Reno PD was more transparent,” Accius said. “Because everything they did up until now, wreaked cover-up, foul play and what are you hiding?”
The officers are currently on administrative leave during the ongoing investigation according to Miller.
Herndon is being charged with two counts of assault with a deadly weapon and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person according to police.
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