The San Francisco district attorney (DA) disclosed CCTV footage Monday, May 15, of a security guard at a Walgreens store fatally shooting a suspected shoplifter. Additional clips and documentation were also presented, reportedly supporting the official's decision not to press charges against the officer.
According to ABC News, the public's outrage over the unarmed killing of 24-year-old Banko Brown on April 27 prompted District Attorney Brooke Jenkins to make the details public. The Board of Supervisors last week passed a resolution asking her office and the police department for further material to share.
Jenkins justified her choice not to charge the guard, Michael Earl-Wayne Anthony, by claiming he needed to defend himself.
However, the publication of surveillance footage did not seem to silence critics in a city plagued with brazen stealing and widespread disagreement about how to respond to crime, especially when the perpetrator is homeless or poor.
Brown's Shooting Footage
Brown, carrying a bag, is seen walking toward the exit when he is stopped by Anthony, who can be seen punching him many times in the muted video reposted by TMZ. Anthony finally pins Brown to the ground after a lengthy fight. Shoppers, however, kept coming in despite the argument.
Brown takes the bag and starts to leave the shop when Anthony releases him. Brown seems to turn around and take a stride toward Anthony before the latter raises his gun and fires once, knocking Brown onto the ground.
Anthony informed the police that he urged Brown to return the things, but Brown resisted and wanted to keep them. He said he promised Brown he would release him if he calmed down, but Brown insisted he would knife him until he got his way. Brown did not have any knives on him, as per the investigation.
Anthony claims he released Brown but was prepared for an attack by keeping his weapon drawn and pointing at the floor. He said he fired when Brown came forward, not expecting Brown would only spit at him.
Brown, who found himself on the streets, eventually found employment as a community organizer for the Young Women's Freedom Center. This organization helps young women and transgender people.
'Justified Self-Defense'
In a statement, San Francisco Supervisor Shamann Walton claimed the footage does not provide "justification" for the shooting. He intends to join Board President Aaron Peskin in requesting an outside review of the prosecutor's judgment from the state attorney general.
Although Jenkins sought further information before dismissing the case on May 1, she ultimately decided that the guard's claim of self-defense was justified. Since the camera footage is mute, she asked the audience to review the witness statements and police reports.
Stores like Walgreens and Target in the downtown area have reported problems with blatant stealing. Recently, Whole Foods made the surprising decision to temporarily close one of its downtown stores for the safety of its employees, CNN reported.
