Police Release Video Shows Officer-Involved Shooting Timeline
East Lansing Police Department released footage of the April 15 officer-involved shooting that killed 21-year-old Michigan State University student Isaiah Kirby.
The footage includes multiple body-worn camera angles, witness videos and fleet camera footage of the incident.
The narrated video, which ELPD officials say was redacted as required by Michigan state law, includes multiple 911 calls, multiple body-worn camera footage angles, witness footage and fleet camera footage.
Kirby was shot and killed near the intersection of Abbot and Lake Lansing Roads after allegedly stabbing 63-year-old attorney Douglas Mielock shortly after 6 p.m. that night.
The department made the footage available on its website, including a 22-minute narration of the events.
Timeline of Events Shown in Footage
The first 911 caller reports a robbery at a pizza place in the restaurant.
The caller states there was no weapon involved in the robbery but later says there was a fight.
A second 911 caller reports the fight and says the suspect had a knife and was covered in blood.
The caller reports the suspect grabbed a phone out of his car and began walking around the parking lot after the attack.
When the confrontation between Kirby and police begins, the narrated video from police shows an officer pulling up in their vehicle to a man running down the street.
While the man face is blurred out in the video, police said the man was Kirby.
The video is slowed down to show what appears to be a knife in the man hand.
Officers can be heard yelling to get on the ground.
Officers fired a first round of shots.
After Kirby was knocked to the ground by the gunfire, officers are heard telling him to drop the knife several times before firing multiple rounds a second time.
Officers then fired a third time.
The video shows multiple East Lansing officers firing at Kirby.
Before officers rendered aid to Kirby, officers can be seen using a police shield to remove what appears to be a knife from his hand.
Officers Involved in Shooting
The department released the names of the officers involved in the shooting.
The officers involved in the shooting were placed on administrative leave.
Field Training Officer Beck Martin served three years in the department.
Officer Brennan Surman served two years in the department.
Officer Benjamin Saylor served one year in the department.
Officer Zane Johnson Chasteen served three months in the department.
After reviewing multiple complete, unedited body camera footage, dash camera footage, and eyewitness videos, it is clear that Isaiah Kirby was met with an immediate and overwhelming use of deadly force.
The Kirby family released a statement Friday evening about the video release.
Within moments of arriving on the scene, East Lansing police officers did not use non lethal options and immediately fired more than 20 rounds.
The family says the videos show officers continuing to shoot after Isaiah had fallen to the ground and appeared to have been dead from the initial gunshot wounds.
The videos also show officers continuing to shoot after Isaiah had fallen to the ground and appeared to have been dead from the initial gunshot wounds, which was the use of deadly force that was neither reasonable nor legally justified.
The family says nothing seen justified this extraordinary level of force that was neither necessary nor warranted under the circumstances.
The family remains committed to pursuing the truth, accountability, and justice for Isaiah Kirby.
Investigation Status
The Michigan State Police continues to investigate the officer-involved shooting.
No charges have been filed as of Friday.
No officers have been found of any wrongdoing.
As MSP investigation moves forward, ELPD will continue to remain transparent and cooperate with their investigation.
After MSP completes its investigation, the ELPD will conduct its own internal review.
ELPD has no further comments at this time.
East Lansing officials and the Kirby family have responded to the video release.
East Lansing Mayor Erik Altmann spoke with News 10 about the release.
I just want to note for the community that it could be a while before we know everything there is to know.
The mayor says it is important for all of them to let the process run its course.
Mielock was stabbed 12 times in the face and suffered numerous defensive wounds.
Mielock was released from the hospital several days after the attack.
Mielock is continuing to recover.
An autopsy report on Isaiah Kirby has not been made public.
ELPD officials said the night of the shooting that officers were initially called to the area on reports of a theft.
The theft quickly escalated to a stabbing.
Police Chief Jen Brown said that night the suspect was observed running towards the officers on the scene.
Officers ordered the suspect to drop the knife multiple times.
The suspect refused to cooperate.
Officers responded to the threat by shooting the suspect.
The suspect was evaluated by medical personnel on the scene.
The suspect was pronounced dead.
The department has no footage of the actual stabbing incident from local businesses.
The department has no material from other responding agencies including Michigan State Police.