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Your support makes all the difference.Footage of a police officer repeatedly shooting a man in the back in a busy city street has been released in the US.
The San Francisco Police Department made four bodycam videos public amid growing outrage over the incident.
The clips show an unnamed officer firing at Oliver Barcenas, who had run away after being approached by officers.
Officers say the 28-year-old – who is now recovering in hospital – pulled a gun while fleeing. But the footage released on Thursday appears to contradict the claim. Mr Barcenas is not seen drawing a weapon at any point.
“Those videos do not look good,” admitted city lawmaker Aaron Peskin, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
The incident occurred after two officers approached four men standing on a street corner in the city’s vibrant North Beach neighbourhood on a little after midnight on June 9.
The quartet appeared to be drinking alcohol, contrary to neighbourhood bylaws, a police report states.
“After a brief dialogue between the officer and the four individuals, one of the four, later determined to be…San Francisco resident Oliver Barcenas began to flee on foot,” the report continues.
One officer gave chase, shooting two rounds into the suspect’s back – despite a number of bystanders in the street.
“Shots fired, we're going to need medics,” the officer can be heard saying in the clip. “Dude, dude, dude, you all right?”
Neither he or his partner appears to offer first aid. Both repeatedly tell an increasingly angry crowd to back up. When other officers arrive, the shooter can be heard saying: “He had a firearm. I don't know where it is. He had, like, a TEC-9.”
Police later released an image of a .45 caliber Glock pistol with a laser sight which they said Mr Barcenas was carrying. They also revealed he had been involved in a near-identical incident six years ago when officers shot him as he pulled a loaded TEC-9 gun while fleeing from them.
Mr Barcenas was arrested on suspicion of delaying an officer, carrying a concealed firearm, exhibiting a firearm and being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. He is being treated at Zuckerberg San Francisco Medical Hospital.
The SFPD’s homicide unit and Internal Affairs Bureau are investigating the incident.
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