On Monday, dash cam footage of the incident involving father of four Terence Crutcher was released. Though The Associated Press reported that the 40-year-old African-American man was shot because he would not follow commands, the footage seems to prove otherwise.

Crutcher was on his way home after attending music appreciation class at Tulsa Community College when his car broke down. His SUV sat in the middle of 36th Street North and Lewis Avenue when police arrived. Though he was unarmed, Terence was shot and killed while his hands were in the air.

Before the dash cam footage was released, police spokeswoman Jeanne MacKenzie told the Associated Press:

“He refused to follow commands given by the officers. They continued to talk to him, he continued not to listen and follow any commands.”

When Chief Chuck Jordan of the Tusla Police Department watched the footage, he commented that the video was “very disturbing – very difficult to watch.” The public agrees, especially pastor Rodney Goss of Morning Star Baptist Church. The pastor viewed the footage from the Tulsa police department, as well as from other department vehicles, and confirmed that all view showed Crutcher’s hands in the air.

Goss told Tulsa World:

“It was not apparent at any angle from any point that he lunged, came toward, aggressively attacked, or made any sudden movements that would have been considered a threat or life-threatening toward the officer.”

Because Chief Jordan said on Monday that there was no indication that Crutcher was armed, an investigation is pending on the incident. Meanwhile, the officer who killed Terence, Betty Shelby, has been placed on paidadministrative leave.

While caucasian individuals are more likely to be killed by officers than individuals of African-American descent, the issue of police abusing their power is not one to be ignored. Please raise awareness about this injustice by sharing this news and commenting below!

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