UTICA, N.Y. (WUTR/WFXV/WPNY) – It’s been a little over a week since the officer-involved shooting that took place on September 12 at 1601 Nielson Street, which resulted in the death of 61-year-old David Litts. Yesterday the Utica Police Department released a video that included both the 911 call audio and police body camera footage from several officers who were on the scene that night.
Sergeant Michael Curley sat with Eyewitness News and explained that the entire incident lasted about 10 to 15 minutes.
“Mr. Litts behavior, unfortunately, dictated the situation that came later and thus forth and that unfortunately when the escalation happened lasted the entirety was about 10 to 15 minutes,” said Curley.
While the exact distance of David Litts in proximity to the officers cannot be released due to the ongoing investigation, the video shows that officers are taking cover behind their vehicle, and Mr. Litts is shot in front of the vehicle. Sgt. Curley says it would be remiss to say there is an exact distance that an officer feels their life is in danger.
“There are certain case laws that dictates use of force by a police officer and pretty much it states that the officer on scene his values his personal experiences his view of the scene on time is what dictates his use of force,” said Curley.
In the video, we also hear Litt’s claim that his brother was killed by the police 10 years ago.
“We have not been able to verify either one of those statements nothing department with respect to his brother that we are aware of at this point. Unfortunately, those in throws of mental health crisis say and do many things that do not make sense,” said Curley.
Sergeant Curley explains that the intent of this video was not to change people’s opinions but to be transparent about what occurred. The Attorney General’s investigation can take anywhere from 6 months to a year, and as a result, UPD will have to leave some questions unanswered for now.