Justin Sayers, and Matthew Glowicki

The Courier-Journal

Louisville Metro Police released two officer body camera videos Monday showing the fatal weekend shooting of a homeless man in an abandoned home, while family of the man questioned why he was shot so many times.

William Young, 32, was shot multiple times by at least two, possibly three, officers at an abandoned house in the 1200 block of Oleanda Avenue near Taylor Boulevard just before midnight Saturday, Chief Steve Conrad told reporters at a news conference.

Conrad said Young wielded a 12-inch, thin and pointed metal pole with a wooden handle, which he called a "meat skewer." He said an officer who shot himself in the hand after being struck in the chest by Young is expected to recover.

Officers were dispatched after a 911 caller reported a man was inside a home and then went inside an abandoned home next door. The call was updated to a "break-in, in progress" as the officers drove to the house, the chief said.

The department posted video from the body cameras of Officers Russell Braun, 31, and Paige Young, 28, to social media Monday afternoon after showing the footage to William Young's family earlier in the day.

“Police. If you’re in here, let us know,” Braun shouted as he entered the dark, abandoned home, his video shows.

"You remember where this guy was last time, right?” Braun is heard saying to another officer as the first floor was searched.

Braun stood at the foot of the stairs with his weapon drawn, his arms raised, then moved slowly up the stairwell. Paige Young followed behind.

“Police department,” he said. “Police.”

As he turned into the room at the top of the stairs, William Young is seen seated or crouched in a corner.

Young rose, feet away from Braun, and moved toward the officer.

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Conrad characterized William Young as assuming an "ambush-like position" before he "charged" at officers.

Paige Young's video provides a better view of William Young’s movement toward Braun. He is seen moving toward Braun, both arms raised with the metal “skewer” in his hands.

Gunfire in the video appears to indicate more than 10 shots were fired within four seconds, first ringing out as William Young started to approach Braun.

Shooting continued by both Braun and Paige Young. Conrad noted it's possible a third officer, 34-year-old Randall Richardson, also fired.

Conrad said Young struck Braun with the skewer in his upper chest, near his throat, knocking him back. As Braun fell, he shot himself in the left hand, Conrad said.

Video shows Braun curse following the shooting and clutching his bloodied hand as he exited the house.

Warning: Raw video of police shooting. Some viewers may find this disturbing.

William Young fell back onto a pile of debris, barely moving.

"You OK?” one of the officers asked. William Young responded with only quiet groans.

“He had the metal rod in his hand,” Paige Young told another officer.

All three officers, who are now on administrative leave pending an internal investigation, work in the Fourth Division. Young and Richardson have been with Louisville Metro Police since 2015 and Braun since 2008.

Braun was discharged from the hospital on Monday.

The incident will first be internally investigated by the department's Public Integrity Unit. Evidence in all police shootings is submitted to the Commonwealth's Attorney's Office to evaluate if further investigation is needed or if criminal charges will be filed.

Shawna Coates and Christopher Hall, William Young's sister and brother, said at a press conference Monday morning that Public Integrity Unit investigators told them Young was shot more than 10 times.

"My brother weighed 130 pounds soaking wet," Hall said outside the Louisville Public Library in downtown prior to watching the video. "There's no way you can justify putting over 10 bullets in my little brother. ... What could he have possibly done that would justify him being shot so many times?"

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Young's family acknowledged that he had substance-abuse and mental issues and had been homeless for parts of the past decade. Court records show that Young had previously been charged in various crimes 10 times, including convictions for criminal trespassing in 2011, 2015 and last year. He also was convicted of drug possession last year.

Coates said she spoke with him often, including about a week ago, and everything seemed normal.

"He had family who cared, he just chose to keep himself distanced," she said. "I think it was more hurtful for him to be around us than it was to be by himself. He had a lot of family that loved him and cared for him."

Hall said that Young was afraid of firearms and had reiterated that fact several times to them. They believe Young, who they said had been robbed and had stayed at the abandoned home several times, was attempting to protect himself.

"As far as questions being answered by LMPD, there has been no questions answered," Hall said. "There has, however, been more questions."

Both Coates and Hall said they're not sure what viewing the body camera footage will accomplish.

"We're just going to be seeing the same thing they were seeing," Coates said.

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Reporter Matthew Glowicki can be reached at 502-582-4989 or mglowicki@courier-journal.com. Reporter Justin Sayers can be reached at 502-582-4252 or jsayers@courier-journal.com.