Police Release Bodycam Footage After Chicago Shooting Protests

Chicago police have released bodycam footage, which appears to show a man who was fatally shot by officers reaching for a gun beforehand.
Harith Augustus was shot multiple times as he tried to run away on Chicago's South Side on Saturday. Within hours, protesters had taken to the streets amid rumours he was unarmed, clashing with police. The decision to release the video so soon was taken to avoid further violence, police said.

The video, which has no sound, shows officers approaching Augustus on the street. At one point, as the 37-year-old backs away, his T-shirt flies up, revealing a gun in a holster. He then tries to run away, at which point he appears to reach for his waistband. It is unclear if he was actually reaching for the gun. The next moment Augustus - who had no recent criminal record - falls to the ground.

"I mean, it is what it is," Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson said. "You know, we are not trying to hide anything. "We are not trying to fluff anything. The video speaks for itself. I don't need to narrate that video for you. Supt Johnson said that the video of Augustus' death was released after consultation with his family. "The family wants to ensure that there's a just investigation," Supt Johnson said. "But they also said to me that they want to make sure this city doesn't overreact."