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Fort Wayne Police released edited body camera footage showing the fatal shooting of 22-year-old Linzell Parhm by an FWPD officer
The passenger did not comply and continued to reach for the gun despite being told to keep his hands visible.
The City of Fort Wayne and the Fort Wayne Police Department (FWPD) have released edited body camera footage of the fatal shooting of 22-year-old Linzell Parhm by an FWPD officer over the weekend.
Protests took place in downtown Fort Wayne on both Sunday and Monday, calling for the release of the police footage.
Fort Wayne Mayor Sharon Tucker announced in a Monday evening press conference that the video will be made public after Parhm’s family has viewed it.
FWPD detectives report that an unnamed officer conducted a traffic stop near Hurd and John Streets around 10:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 22.
According to the department’s media release, Linzell Parhm was fatally shot after “actions from occupants inside the vehicle caused the Officer to discharge their weapon.”
The reason for the initial traffic stop has not been disclosed. An FWPD spokesperson stated that the involved officer has been placed on administrative leave, following FWPD policy.
The incident was recorded on video and has been widely viewed on social media. Viewer discretion is strongly advised when watching the footage here.
On Tuesday, FWPD released the edited body camera footage, which had been highly requested by protesters and media members. In the video, narrated by FWPD PIO Jeremy Webb, the responding officer is seen approaching the car and noticing a gun near the front seat passenger.
The officer, “fearing for his life and safety,” repeatedly ordered the passenger to keep his hands on the dashboard. The passenger did not comply and continued to reach for the gun despite being told to keep his hands visible.
The officer then called for emergency backup and, upon seeing the suspect and the gun, fired two shots, hitting Parhm.
