Democratic Governor Roy Cooper joined calls for the swift release of bodycam footage, saying initial reports of what happened “are tragic and extremely concerning.”
Seven North Carolina deputies have been placed on leave in the aftermath of a Black man being shot and killed by members of their department serving drug-related search and arrest warrants, authorities said Friday. The disclosure comes as calls increase for the release of deputy body camera footage amid signs — including emergency scanner traffic — that was shot in the back and killed as he was trying to drive away. Pasquotank County Sheriff’s Office Maj. Aaron Wallio confirmed the number of deputies on leave due to the shooting in an email Friday. Sheriff Tommy Wooten II has previously said that multiple deputies fired shots and were placed on leave after Brown was killed Wednesday morning. Wallio’s email also said another three deputies have recently resigned, but he later clarified that the resignations were unrelated to the shooting. He said the department has about 55 total sworn deputies. Democratic Governor Roy Cooper joined calls for the swift release of the body camera footage, saying initial reports of what happened “are tragic and extremely concerning.” “The body camera footage should be made public as quickly as possible,” he said in a tweet Friday night. Earlier in the day, the City Council in Elizabeth City unanimously voted to send a letter to the sheriff, local prosecutor and State Bureau of Investigation demanding release of body camera footage. The measure also directed city staff to petition a local court to release the footage if the sheriff denies the council’s request. Wooten has confirmed that at least one deputy was wearing an active body camera but hasn’t given a timetable for releasing it.
