D.C. Police Release Bodycam Footage Of Officers Fatally Shooting Justin Robinson + Public Reacts: ‘He Didn’t Stand A Chance’

Justin Robinson

D.C. Police Release Bodycam Footage Of Officers Fatally Shooting Justin Robinson + Public Reacts: ‘He Didn’t Stand A Chance’

Washington D.C. officials have released the tragic bodycam footage of resident Justin Robinson’s murder.

The 27-minute video depicts the moments leading up to Robinson being gunned down by police, after falling asleep in his vehicle.

Justin Robinson

In case you’re unfamiliar with the story, D.C. officers have been under fire since the killing of Robinson last week, which his family and many supporters have argued could’ve been prevented. Officers were called to a McDonald’s over a reported car crash.

Upon arrival, police said they found Robinson — who worked as a violence interrupter with the D.C. Attorney General’s Office and Cure The Street program — unconscious behind the wheel of the vehicle with a gun in his lap. The officers reportedly then called for backup. They claimed that as Robinson began to wake up, they repeatedly asked him to put down the weapon but he allegedly reached for one of the officer’s guns. Two cops opened fire, striking Robinson. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Initially, the city’s mayor indicated that the family didn’t want the bodycam footage released. It’s noted that over the weekend, the family changed their stance on the matter following a vigil in Robinson’s honor. Since the video was released, many have argued that the officers didn’t give Robinson enough time to wake out of his sleep and properly respond to the intense situation.

Justin Robinson

Robinson’s sister spoke to this matter in a recent interview, and shed a little more light on the family’s back-and-forth about the bodycam footage, stating:

“I watched the video over and over and over again…There is a reason why we chose not to release the video because we want you guys to see the whole video. We want you to hear my story first.”

Reacting to the footage, many internet users have joined in the conversation sharing their grief over the tragedy and calling for justice with the hashtag #justiceforjustin.

What are your thoughts? Leave them for us in the comments below!

[VIA]