The Columbus Police Department has released body camera footage which shows the shooting of 47 year old Andre Hill mere seconds after his encounter with officer Adam Coy. The footage also shows that more than five minutes passed after the shooting before any first aid was attempted by an officer.
What the Footage Shows
The video starts with no audio because Coy did not activate his camera until after the shooting. However the body cameras that the Columbus Police use have a “look back” feature which saves the previous 60 seconds, but without sound.
The video shows Coy and another officer approaching Hill’s garage. The officers were dispatched at 1:30am in response to a non-emergency call about a man sitting in a car turning it on and off repeatedly. They then shine their lights into the garage and approach Andre Hill. Hill walks towards them with a cell phone in his hand. At this point Coy shoots Hill.
When the audio picks up Coy is heard yelling at Hill, who is unresponsive. “Put your f—-ing hands out to the side! Hands out to the side now! Roll to your stomach now!” The video, linked through WOSU Public Media, is below.
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Investigation is Underway
On Tuesday Adam Coy was placed on paid administrative leave. Mayor Andrew Ginther has called for his immediate termination. The incident comes soon after the shooting of Casey Goodson, Jr., who was shot while holding a Subway sandwich at the door to his house. The deputy in that shooting, Jason Meade, has yet to have any state or federal charges laid against him. He is currently on administrative leave.
Ginther said he was very disturbed by what he saw in the footage. He also stated, "From what we can see, none of the officers initially at the scene provide medical assistance to Mr. Hill. No compression on the wounds to stop the bleeding. No attempts at CPR. Not even a hand on the shoulder and an encouraging word that medic were in route."
Leading the case on Hill’s death is the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI). The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Dave DeVillers, said his office will also be looking into any possible federal civil rights violations after BCI has finished their investigation. He is also currently reviewing the shooting of Casey Goodson, Jr.
Officer Coy's Record
According to Columbus Police records and reporting from WOSU, Coy has received dozens of complaints about his work as an officer over the past two decades. He is accused of mishandling prisoners by using rude language and inappropriate force. The department has called most of these complaints “unfounded”.
It is also reported that in 2018 Coy received a special commendation for the arrest of an aggravated robbery suspect as well as a distinguished service medal for lunging at a suspect who spilled lighter fluid at a gas station intending to set it on fire.
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