Peoria Police release body cam video, new details from Oct. officer-involved shooting

PEORIA (25 News Now) - Peoria Police have released body cam footage of the October night when a man died in an officer-involved shooting.

It’s been nearly two months since Samuel “Meatman” Richmond died October 3.

Several officers were placed on leave as the Illinois State Police took over the investigation.

For the first time, police are showing the body cam video to the public, saying it’s important to share these details with the community.

The video shows the moments Peoria Police responded to Martin Luther King Jr. Park for a ShotSpotter alert - and where they were then told about a suicidal man near the area.

That’s when police say Richmond pointed a gun at officers.

Peoria Police Chief Eric Echevarria deferred to state police on how many rounds were fired at Richmond or which of the four officers shot at him.

After officers shot Richmond, they approached him, placed handcuffs on him and then began performing CPR.

When asked about protocol or if the chief believed his officers acted properly, he wouldn’t say.

But he did emphasize - multiple times - that the body cam footage shows Richmond pointing a gun at “his” officers.

“When a situation like that occurs and it’s a rapidly developing situation, when our officers go up, safety is paramount.” he said at a press conference earlier today. “Where there might be one firearm there may be two firearms. Protocols may differ in given situations.”

Echevarria says they are limited on the details they can disclose about the case but he emphasized he does want to be transparent throughout this process.

State police are still investigating the shooting. Echevarria says there’s no timeline on when that will be done but says he has expressed the urgent need for completion.

Mayor Rita Ali was also at Friday’s press conference. Ali thanked the community for continued support and patience in the investigation.

“Our thoughts are with Mr. Samuel Vincent Richmond’s family and friends,” said Ali.

“It’s approaching 60 days since the incident and our community has a right to know more,” Ali continued.

The four officers remain on paid leave.

The full version of the body camera videos is posted on the Peoria Police Department’s website here.

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