Elk Grove releases video of deadly police shooting
Elk Grove Village police released video and audio recordings Monday depicting the fatal shooting of a 24-year-old man by officers on Dec. 1 and the circumstances leading up to the deadly encounter.
The video, compiled from officer body-worn and dashboard cameras, shows Jack Murray walking along a sidewalk near his home while carrying an 11.5-inch knife in his right hand.
Officers stationed along the street repeatedly command Murray to drop the knife, but he does not respond. Officers then shoot Murray with a Taser, but he appears largely unaffected, brushing aside the wired darts intended to incapacitate a person with an electronic charge.
Moments later, as police continue to shout, “Put it down, Jack,” Murray turns toward officers, and at least one opens fire, shooting what sounds to be seven rounds at the 24-year-old, who immediately falls to the ground.
Footage shows officers then handcuffing Murray and beginning first-aid measures on what they believe to be four gunshot wounds to his chest area.
“Jack, stay with us,” an officer repeatedly tells him.
The video can be viewed at vimeo.com/895130242/789612f187?share=copy. It does contain graphic images and language that may be disturbing.
Murray was taken from the scene to Ascension Alexian Brothers Medical Center, where he later was pronounced dead.
The video is about 27 minutes long and includes a four-minute introduction from Elk Grove Village Mayor Craig Johnson. In it, he offers condolences to Murray’s family and says the video already has been provided to them and their attorneys.
“This incident is undoubtedly very difficult for the family and our community to process,” Johnson said. “It is our hope that providing more information about this incident will give everyone a better understanding of what took place and help in the process of healing.”
The video opens with the recording of a 911 call made earlier that evening by Murray.
“There’s someone acting erratic with a knife, and he seems dangerous,” Murray tells an emergency dispatcher.
“And he’s going to hurt someone,“ he adds.
Police then called Murray’s father, who indicated he was with his son but was unaware of the 911 call or anyone with a knife. He said his son may have broken his foot the previous night and may be intoxicated.
“Maybe we should have someone come and check him out,” Murray’s father states, later adding that his son is not acting violently. The police caller instructs Murray’s father and everyone other than Jack to leave the home, but by then the 24-year-old had stepped outside.
Shortly after the footage was made public Monday, Murray family attorney Antonio Romanucci released a statement lambasting the village for releasing what he called a “self-motivated, pre-packaged video montage” and “decidedly partial version of the event.”
The video, he alleges, leaves out critical footage of interaction between Murray and an officer.
“That day, Jack was physically injured, emotionally distressed, confused and slurring and not OK,” Romanucci added. “He was well-known to the EGVPD as they admit on video. Rather than send medical aid or social services, (Elk Grove) dispatched the full force of their police department and the outcome of Jack's death was inevitable. This situation is beyond sad, and we vigorously maintain that Jack did not need to die that day."
An investigation by the multi-jurisdictional Major Case Assistance Team into how Elk Grove officers responded is ongoing, while Elk Grove police complete their own probe. The five officers involved in the shooting incident were on temporary administrative leave.