Baltimore Shooting – Facts and Reactions from Body Cam Video Reveals

On November 7, 2023, a fatal shooting occurred in the city of Baltimore, Maryland, involving police officers and a 27-year-old man named Hunter Jessup. The incident sparked controversy and outrage, as some claimed that the police used excessive force and violated Jessup’s rights, while others defended the officers’ actions and praised their bravery. But what happened on that day? What led to the confrontation between Jessup and the police? And what does the body cam video, released by the Baltimore Police Department, show about the shooting?

In this article, we will take a closer look at the Baltimore shooting, and examine the facts and evidence from the body cam video, as well as the statements and reactions from the police, Jessup’s family, and the public. We will also explore the legal and social implications of the shooting and the challenges and questions that it raises for the future of policing and justice in Baltimore and beyond.

The Body Cam Video: What It Shows and What It Doesn’t

The body cam video, released by the Baltimore Police Department on November 17, 2023, is the main piece of evidence that sheds light on the Baltimore shooting.

A Baltimore shooting that killed a 27-year-old man who ran from the police with a gun in his hand was caught on camera and released to the public on Friday afternoon. The incident happened on Nov. 7 in the Millhill neighborhood of West Baltimore, where the police were patrolling a high-crime area.

The police, who were part of the District Action Team, saw Hunter Jessup and another man standing at a corner and asked them to lift their shirts. The other man complied and showed no weapon, but Jessup had a bulge under his shirt. He fled when the police got out of their car and chased him on the sidewalk.

Jessup was wearing gray sweatpants, black shoes, a backpack, and a plastic bag in his sweatshirt pocket. He also had a Glock 23 with a long magazine in his right hand. The gun was made of parts from different weapons. He fired at least one shot at the police, hitting a parked car.

One of the officers, Brittany Routh, almost tackled him from the side, but he dodged her. She saw his gun clearly, but she still tried to grab him. She fell to the ground and missed him by a very small margin. That could have changed the outcome of that day.

A second later, four officers, including Routh, shot at Jessup. They fired 36 rounds in total and hit him many times. The exact number of shots that hit him is not known yet. The shooting was recorded by the body cameras of four of the six officers who were there.

Jessup was still alive and conscious when he fell to the ground. The police kicked the gun away from him and started to give him first aid within 90 seconds. But he died soon after. Jessup was under the supervision of the state’s parole and probation division.

The police commissioner, Richard Worley, said the officers did what they were trained to do. He said they shot to stop Jessup from being a threat to them and the public. He said, “As soon as he turns to me with his weapon and he points the weapon at me, that means he’s going to try to kill me or shoot me, and I will shoot right back at him.” The video of the shooting was given to the U.S. attorney’s office, the state’s attorney’s office, and the city’s office of equity and civil rights.

The Reactions: From the Police, Jessup’s Family, and the Public

The Baltimore shooting sparked different reactions from different parties involved or affected by the incident. The police, Jessup’s family, and the public had their views and opinions on the shooting and expressed them through various channels and platforms.

The police defended their actions and claimed that they acted lawfully and professionally. They said that they had a reasonable suspicion to stop and question Jessup, based on his appearance and behavior. They said that they followed the rules of engagement, and used deadly force only as a last resort. They said that they released the body cam video to show transparency and accountability, and to counter any false or misleading narratives about the shooting. They also said that they were cooperating with the internal and external investigations into the shooting and that they were confident that they would be cleared of any wrongdoing.

Jessup’s family, on the other hand, disputed the police’s version of events and accused them of lying and covering up the truth. They said that Jessup was not a criminal, but a victim of racial profiling and police brutality. They said that Jessup had a legal permit to carry a gun and that he was exercising his right to self-defense when he was confronted by the police. They said that the body cam video was edited and manipulated and that it did not show the whole story. They also said that they were seeking justice for Jessup and that they would file a lawsuit against the police and the city for wrongful death and civil rights violations.

The public, meanwhile, had mixed and diverse reactions to the shooting, depending on their background, perspective, and affiliation. Some people supported the police and praised them for their courage and service. They said that the police were doing their job and that they faced a dangerous and hostile situation. They said that the police deserved respect and appreciation and that they should not be judged or criticized for their actions. They also said that the police were being unfairly targeted and vilified by the media and the activists and that they needed more support and protection from the government and society.

Other people criticized the police and condemned them for their violence and misconduct. They said that the police were abusing their power and that they violated Jessup’s rights and dignity. They said that the police were not protecting and serving the community, but terrorizing and oppressing it. They also said that the police were not being held accountable or responsible for their actions and that they enjoyed impunity and immunity from the law and the system. They demanded that the police be reformed or abolished and that they be replaced by alternative and community-based models of public safety and justice.