Tulsa police released video clips and audio files from Friday’s fatal shooting of Terence Crutcher to local community leaders yesterday before their scheduled release to the public today, the Tulsa World reports. A pastor who saw the videos said he was appalled, but that the public should respond with reason and not violence. The local president of the NAACP also said he expects the public’s reaction to be “level-headed.” Crutcher’s family also saw the files. Pastor Rodney Goss of the Morning Star Baptist Church expects public outrage after seeing the videos. “His hands were in the air from all views,” Goss said.
From Goss’ perspective, Crutcher failed to exhibit behavior that would potentially warrant being shot by a police officer. The footage show’s Crutcher’s SUV parked in the middle of the road because it had broken down. Crutcher is seen walking toward officers, seemingly seeking help. The videos later show Crutcher walking toward his vehicle, after which he was Tasered by one police officer and subsequently shot by another officer’s gun. Goss said Crutcher did not reach into his vehicle — he moves toward it without any apparent sudden movement. “It was not apparent at any angle from any point that he lunged, came toward, aggressively attacked, or made any sudden movements that would have been considered a threat or life-threatening toward the officer,” Goss said.