FERGUSON, Mo. — St. Louis County police on Thursday released a “critical incident briefing” video timeline of a fatal shooting last month involving a Ferguson police officer.
The video, narrated by Lt. Col. Tim Cunningham, begins with a satellite view of a QuikTrip convenience store and the surrounding area in the 10700 block of West Florissant Avenue. Police said that's where a Ferguson police officer fatally shot Joshua Campbell after Campbell fatally shot the driver of a vehicle he was riding in.
“At approximately 1:33 a.m. (on April 16), two men traveling together in a white Ford Escape arrived at (the) convenience store…. The driver, who is also the victim in this case, entered the store to make a purchase,” Cunningham said.
At about the same time, the officer parked his patrol SUV in front of the store.
Subsequent surveillance video showed both men inside the store making purchases and returning to their vehicles several minutes later. The driver of the Escape, identified as Detarius Haynes, 26, drove toward the gas pumps before stopping.
As the officer was walking to his SUV, he heard gunfire. He placed his purchased items on the hood of his vehicle and ran toward the Escape.
“The officer heard additional gunfire and observed a victim fall from the driver’s seat. An armed suspect climbed out of the vehicle from the driver’s door,” Cunningham said.
Slowed video from the officer's body camera showed him running toward the Escape with his service weapon drawn. Haynes' body, while blurred, is visible on the ground.
The officer gave the suspect “verbal commands,” which he ignored. The officer then fired his gun, striking Campbell. Campbell, 18, ran toward West Florissant Avenue before he collapsed, police said.
About 25 seconds after the incident first started, the officer radioed to dispatchers that shots were fired and the suspect was down.
Cunningham said a 9mm pistol belonging to Campbell and 10 shell casings were recovered at the scene.
Cunningham said the Ferguson officer is 37 years old with eight years of law enforcement experience. The officer, who was not injured, fired eight shots at Campbell.
"Our officers are sworn to protect the community and act swiftly in the face of imminent danger. This incident, while tragic, highlights the difficult decisions officers must make in the line of duty. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families affected by this incident," Ferguson police Chief Troy Doyle said in a statement.
The Ferguson Police Department also activated its Civilian Review Board within 48 hours of the incident. The board is made up of community members whose role is to monitor internal investigations of critical incidents.