Body camera footage from a fatal police encounter in Syracuse has been made public by the New York Attorney General's office. Donnell Hogan, who was in a wheelchair at the time of the incident, died after being shot by a Syracuse Police Department officer on May 13. Attorney General Letitia James stated the release was part of an effort to increase transparency and build trust in the investigative process following such events.
According to the report from the Attorney General's Office, the situation began when SPD officers responded to a call about a man discharging a firearm inside and outside an apartment on North Townsend Street. Officers confronted Hogan after entering the building, who fired his gun at them. The incident led to one officer discharging his rifle, resulting in Hogan's death.
This move by Attorney General James adheres to a directive ensuring that camera footage obtained during an investigation by the Office of Special Investigation (OSI) is shared with the public. The OSI is tasked with reviewing any incidents where a death might be tied to the actions or inactions of law enforcement. Upon reviewing, if there is an indication that an officer may be responsible for a fatal outcome, a full investigation is initiated.
In the footage released, it shows the moment officers encountered Hogan in the second-floor hallway, as they were investigating the reported shots fired. Compliance with the New York State Executive Law Section 70-b, the OSI examines cases involving both on-duty and off-duty officers, with victims that may be armed or unarmed, and whether or not in custody.
It is highlighted by the Attorney General that releasing the footage does not suggest any preconceived judgment regarding the potential guilt or innocence of those involved. "The release of this footage is not an expression of any opinion as to the guilt or innocence of any party in a criminal matter or any opinion as to how or whether any individual may be charged with a crime," the Attorney General's Office said in its release. The ongoing investigation seeks to offer a transparent view of the events that led up to Hogan's death.
