Newly released police body camera footage reveals a St. Louis officer shooting 17-year-old Emeshyon Wilkins in the back of the head as he ran away, directly challenging the department’s initial claim that the teenager had aimed a weapon at law enforcement.
The footage was made public Monday after family attorney Al Watkins secured it through federal court proceedings. Watkins says his attempts to obtain the video through standard public records channels were unsuccessful.
“They fought that video issue for over a year,” Watkins told The Associated Press. “We had to file a federal lawsuit to get it. That’s not transparent. That’s not integrity. Indeed, it’s irresponsible.”
The fatal shooting occurred in June 2024, just two weeks following Wilkins’ 17th birthday. According to Watkins, the Black teenager had no previous criminal record.
The incident began when detectives tried to pull over an SUV that had been reported as stolen, according to police reports. While authorities described a brief chase, Watkins characterized it as a low-speed pursuit with the vehicle traveling approximately 10 mph.
The chase concluded when Wilkins abandoned the SUV and ran on foot, with two officers following behind. Court documents indicate one officer carried a taser while the other was armed with a firearm.
The recorded footage captures the gun-carrying officer shouting commands for the teenager to lie down while raising his weapon. The officer can be heard ordering the teen to drop a gun. As Wilkins continues fleeing, the officer opens fire.
According to the lawsuit, one of four bullets hit the teenager in the back of his head, causing his death. While a firearm was discovered in Wilkins’ pocket, the lawsuit states it was broken apart into several pieces and could not be fired.
The video evidence does not show Wilkins holding or pointing any weapon at the pursuing officer.
“There was no threat to the public, and you look at the video, and there were no furtive movements,” Watkins said.
Following Monday’s video release, police officials admitted that “information provided by a third-party to investigators in the immediate aftermath of the incident was not consistent with the actual events or what was initially shared with the community.”
The department announced it now deploys a member of its body-worn camera unit to such incidents so footage can be examined by investigating supervisors before detailed public statements are issued.
“In this case, an earlier review of body-worn camera footage would have provided greater clarity than what was available in the initial moments following the incident,” the statement says.
The shooting brings back painful memories of the 2014 killing of 18-year-old Michael Brown, an unarmed Black teenager, by a white Ferguson police officer in the St. Louis area. Some witnesses claimed Brown had raised his hands in surrender. The officer was cleared of criminal charges and later resigned, while Brown’s death sparked months of demonstrations.
Watkins noted that officials promised reforms would follow that incident. However, he points out that the officer who killed Wilkins remains on administrative duty with full pay, questioning why the investigation is proceeding so slowly.
“The family needs answers, and the only way answers can be given is if there is justice that is open and transparent,” Watkins said.
The St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s Office confirmed receiving the police investigation report in October. However, officials say they conduct their own “review of the evidence and law to determine whether there is a basis for criminal liability.”
“The CAO is committed to reviewing each matter as expeditiously as possible while ensuring that all available evidence and legal considerations are carefully and thoroughly evaluated,” the statement says.
