Body-worn camera footage from the case of Hugh Davis, who died in an encounter with Cheektowaga Police Department officers, has been made public by New York Attorney General Letitia James. The video, released as part of an ongoing investigation, depicts the events leading up to Davis's death in Buffalo on August 13. The Attorney General's Office asserts the move is aimed to bolster transparency and trust between the public and law enforcement.
The incident, which occurred around 12:45 p.m. when Cheektowaga Police attempted to apprehend Davis at his apartment for a prior assault charge, escalated rapidly as officers approached; the footage shows that the door panel suddenly fell inwards and almost immediately, Davis emerged with a knife in hand and came dangerously close to injuring an officer, who then fired his service weapon resulting in Davis's fatality. A subsequent search of the scene revealed a large kitchen-type knife, according to the Attorney General's Office.
The Office of Special Investigation within the Attorney General's Office is responsible for probing cases where law enforcement officials are involved in civilian deaths, regardless of whether the incident occurred while the officer was on or off duty and irrespective of the deceased's armed status or custodial situation. This mandated assessment might transition into a comprehensive investigation, dependent on initial findings, as per New York State Executive Law Section 70-b.
In releasing the footage to the public, Attorney General James emphasized that it should not serve as an indicator of guilt or innocence nor suggest any outcomes regarding criminal charges, the graphic nature of the content was also flagged as potentially disturbing for viewers. The OSI's detailed examination of the Davis case continues, and they will consider all evidence before arriving at any conclusions, the body-worn camera footage is now part of the wider evidence under consideration, and the public has full access to view it, with a disclaimer for its distressing content.
