CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio — Cleveland Heights police have released new body camera video from an incident last month that saw officers fatally shoot a teen suspect they say was armed with a gun.
The city had already released footage where the fatal shots fired at 18-year-old Christian Thomas. Members of his family had called 911 on the evening of Aug. 29 and reported he was pointing a gun at his father Ferrel. The new video shows the aftermath of the encounter outside the home, including Ferrel's grief-stricken reaction. Mayor Kahlil Seren says the footage is being released in the interest of providing "full disclosure" of what happened.
WARNING: The above video may be disturbing for some to watch. Viewer discretion is advised.
In the video, one of Christian's sisters can be heard telling an officer that Christian "has a gun." Ferrel was coaxed out of the home on Yellowstone Road, leaving Christian behind.
Investigators say Christian fired two shots before being mortally wounded by police, dying at the scene despite the efforts of officers to provide first aid. After the gunfire rings out, there's confusion amongst the family as to what took place.
"Did y'all kill my son?" Ferrel can be seen asking. After an officer responds that he doesn't know, an emotional Ferrel says, "Somebody find out if my son is alive or not so I can deal with that part of it."
A sister asks, "Did they pick up the body yet?" desiring "some little information." Finally, police tell Ferrel that Christian is dead, and the father is overcome with sorrow.
"Oh my God!" Ferrel can be heard crying. "They killed my son. I should've stayed in there. ... I should've just stayed in there. I should've just stayed."
Later, Ferrel would share what led to the altercation with his son, claiming Christian was high on drugs.
Later Thomas would share what lead to the altercation with his son...he was high on drugs
"He thought somebody had killed his sister," Ferrel explained, adding, "He shot the gun in the house more than once."
After a relative arrives on scene, a still-grieving Ferrel blames himself for what happened.
"It's not their fault; it's my fault," he screams. His daughter then reiterates, "He was shooting at them."
The investigation then begins, all unfolding on camera. When one of the girls asks why they can't go back inside, an officer responds, "There's evidence in there that they have to collect, like shell casings, stuff like that. Everything is accounted for for the wrap, all that.
As family members slowly leave the area, Ferrel expresses his shock once more.
"I was standing out here watching you all shoot him and kill him," he says. An officer can only answer, "I'm sorry," before Ferrel declares, "I'm not leaving him. I'm not leaving him."
The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation is handling the probe into the matter.