Mexico-born Antonio Zambrano-Montes was shot dead after throwing rocks at passing vehicles but new video shows him apparently turning and raising his hands seconds before police opened fire

This article is more than 5 years old

This article is more than 5 years old

New footage of a fatal police shooting in Pasco, Washington, on Tuesday has raised questions about the official account of the incident provided by local police, indicating that the victim was running away from police at the time he was shot.

Antonio Zambrano-Montes, a 35-year-old orchard worker who was born in Mexico, was shot dead by at 5pm on Tuesday after he was found throwing rocks – one described as “softball sized” – at vehicles on a busy intersection in the city.

Pasco police said that after “low-level force” failed to bring Zambrano-Montes under control and the deployment of a Taser had “no effect”, officers fired on the suspect after his “threatening behaviour” continued.

But footage of the incident uploaded to YouTube on Wednesday appears to show the final stages of Zambrano-Montes’ altercation with police. He can be seen running away from three officers before turning to face them as they fire.

The disturbing footage appears to show an officer first discharging a Taser and then three officers chasing Zambrano-Montes across the road before firing. Around 10 shots can be heard and it appears all three officers have their weapons raised, although it it is unclear if all fired.

Seconds before the shooting, it appears that Zanbrano-Montes momentarily raises his hands in the air.

Another video uploaded to YouTube on Wednesday captured the aftermath of the scene, in which a bystander can be heard calling “it was just a rock” to police officers standing over Zambrano-Montes’ body.

Pasco police did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Guardian.

All three officers, named by Pasco police on Wednesday as Ryan Flanagan, Adam Wright and Adrian Alaniz, have been placed on administrative leave in line with departmental procedure.

In a statement, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Washington described the incident as “very disturbing”.

“Fleeing from police and not following an officer’s command should not be sufficient for a person to get shot,” said ACLU Washington’s executive director, Kathleen Taylor. “Lethal force should only be used as an absolute last resort.”

Members of Zambrano-Montes’ family told the Tri-City Herald the 35-year-old was a “kind person, family oriented” and “hardworking”.

“We just want justice,” family member Erica Salazar said. “It could have been avoided.”

In an interview with the LA Times, Pasco police captain Ken Roske said Zambrano-Montes had a criminal record and was charged with assaulting a police officer in January last year.

Roske also told Reuters on Wednesday police had reviewed the recently uploaded video footage but could not confirm its authenticity.