Austin Police Release Video of 17-Year-Old's Fatal Shooting as Water Bottle Was Mistaken for Gun
Updated
Updated · KEYE TV CBS Austin · Jul 30
Austin Police Release Video of 17-Year-Old's Fatal Shooting as Water Bottle Was Mistaken for Gun
3 articles · Updated · KEYE TV CBS Austin · Jul 30
Summary
Newly released Austin police surveillance video shows 17-year-old Anthoneil Williams II in a park around 4 a.m. before three officers fatally shot him after he moved his hands toward officers.
Investigators now say the object officers believed was a gun was actually a water bottle, and the 911 call that brought police to the scene came from Williams' own phone.
Police said slowed-down footage appears to show Williams lifting his shirt, reaching toward his waistband and extending both hands as if pointing a weapon; they have also raised the possibility of "suicide by police."
Three officers remain on paid administrative leave, while Austin NAACP president Nelson Linder said the video did not justify the use of deadly force and city leaders have demanded a full accounting.
Austin Justice Coalition plans a City Hall event Friday, extending pressure for transparency and accountability after the shooting of the unarmed teen.