US Park Police release bodycam footage from officer-involved fatal shooting

WASHINGTON - The United States Park Police released body camera footage from a fatal shooting last month.

On March 18, 17-year-old Dalaneo Martin was shot and killed by U.S. Park Police in Northeast D.C. 

U.S. Park Police officials say they responded to a call around 8:50 a.m. Saturday from D.C. police for assistance with a suspicious vehicle at 34th and Baker Streets near River Terrace Park, which is a federal park.

Video shows Martin sleeping in the car when one of the U.S. Park Police officers opens the passenger side rear door. 

When he enters, Martin wakes up, and hits the gas pedal. The officer tells Martin to stop or else he’ll shoot and seconds later, five shots were quickly fired.

***WARNING: GRAPHIC VIDEO ***

After Martin was shot, the white Hyundai Tucson crashed into a home at the intersection of the 36th Street and Kenilworth Avenue in Northeast.

The body worn camera footage shows officers trying to revive Martin, however, he died at the scene. The two U.S. Park Police officers involved were taken to the hospital.

Later, a gun was found inside the SUV. At this time, it is not clear if the weapon was owned by Martin. It has also not officially been revealed whether the vehicle was in fact stolen or who it belonged to.

U.S. Park Police, the D.C. Police Internal Affairs Division, as well as the U.S. Attorney’s Office are all reviewing and still investigating the deadly officer-involved-shooting.

According to senior District officials, D.C. police protocols and training does not suggest officers should ever get inside the back of a vehicle. 

***WARNING: GRAPHIC VIDEO ***

All four D.C. police officers who were at the scene are still on active duty.

FOX 5 received a statement from Attorney Jade Mathis, of the A Clarke Law Group, who accompanied Ms. Terra Martin (Dalaneo’s mom) and his two sisters to the Department of Behavioral Health to view the footage. 

Upon watching the videos, Ms. Martin and her daughters began to cry, then become understandably angry. 

"He murdered my son," she said. "I want the name of the officer released to the public and for the officer to be terminated and prosecuted."

"The MPD officer specifically told all the officers not to get in the vehicle and if the driver takes off, let him go and do not chase him," the statement from Attorney Mathis reads. "As a result of this officer's reckless disregard for the advisement from a 20-year police veteran, Mr. Martin was murdered. We are now asking for an independent DOJ investigation and for this officer to be held accountable." 

The Martin family and their legal representation will have a press conference on Wednesday, April 5. 

"Any death is tragic; we feel for the family," said USPP in a statement. "However, Martin committed felonious acts by dragging a police officer attempting to cause serious bodily injury or death. Martin then kidnapped and trapped an officer inside the vehicle as he sped away at uncontrollable speeds, failing to adhere to verbal commands and pleas to stop the vehicle. Martin was a clear threat to Officer #1 as well as to the public. Our officers' actions are justified based on well-established case law, USPP policies, and training. This is a tragic incident that could have ended much differently, had Martin just compiled."

USPP says the incident is still under investigation.