Bodycam vid shows cops shoot dead sleeping 17-year-old after sneaking into car
Distressing police bodycam footage has been released of the moment a cop shoots dead a black teen while sitting behind him in an allegedly stolen car.
Cops have released bodycam footage of US Park Police in Washington shooting 17-year-old Dalaneo Martin to death after an officer climbed into the back of the parked car in which he was sleeping and tried to arrest the teenager.
The suspect speeds away in the SUV-type car while the officer is in the back seat as a Washington police officer can be heard in the video advising Park Police: "Please don't get caught inside [the vehicle]."
When the officer climbs in the backseat, Mr Martin drives off but just thirteen seconds into the getaway the officer gets out his gun and warns “Stop, stop, or I’ll shoot.”
The officer shoots dead the teen (USPP)Just a few seconds later the cop fires five shots at Mr Martin's back, according to the bodycam.
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The car then crashes into a nearby home - with the teenager laid on the grass unconscious.
He was tragically pronounced dead at the scene. Officers announced a gun was recovered from the car.
According to authorities, Mr Martin was shot by an unidentified officer working with US Park Police, who are an enforcement arm of the National Park Service, during a joint investigation with Washington DC Metro Police.
“Stop, man, just let me out,” the officer yells as he pulls out his firearm. “Let me go!” (USPP)The officers did not suffer any injuries and have been placed on leave by Metro Police Department as they conduct an internal investigation.
Lawyers for the teen's family Jade Mathis told the Washington Post they want the cop who shot the teen to be identified, prosecuted and sacked.
The FBI and federal prosecutors have called the footage from the March 18 incident “extremely upsetting.”
Dalaneo Martin was shot dead by police (USPP)
Dalaneo Martin was just 17The US Attorney’s Office in Washington said in a statement: “The loss of a life is always tragic but is especially heartbreaking when it involves a child.
“In coordination with the FBI Washington Field Office, the United States Attorney’s Office has opened a civil rights investigation into the circumstances leading to Mr. Martin’s death.”
Andrew Clarke, who is representing Martin's family, asked how long the black community would have to endure violence from police - as he made reference to George Floyd and Breonna Taylor.
Dalaneo Martin's family are heartbroken (USPP)He said: "Dalaneo did not have to die. How long will they be able to hide behind their badge to justify taking a life?
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"How long will we as a community have to continue to have the talk with our young Black children because they are treated differently by police?
"We will continue to pursue justice for Dalaneo with or without the help of the federal government or the District of Columbia."
Cops surround the car as one prepares to enter (USPP)The chairman of the US Park Police union has defended the actions of the officer as he believes "the force was justified."
Kenneth Spencer told the Washington Post: "There is a lawful reason for him to be in the car, the use of force was justified and the union stands behind the actions the officers took."
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