The family of a man shot by Tennessee National Guard personnel is demanding the release of body camera and surveillance footage related to the confrontation that left their loved one dead, their attorney said Monday.
The shooting occurred during an incident involving Army National Guard members in Tennessee, according to initial reports. Military investigators with the Army Criminal Investigation Command have since taken over the inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the man's death.
Background
The man was shot during what authorities describe as a confrontation with National Guard personnel. Details about what precipitated the encounter remain limited as military officials continue their investigation. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation initially responded to the scene before the case was transferred to federal military investigators, according to law enforcement sources familiar with the matter.
Family representatives say they have been given little information about the sequence of events that led to the shooting. Their attorney has filed formal requests seeking all video footage from body cameras worn by Guard members as well as any surveillance cameras in the area where the confrontation occurred.
The Investigation
The Army Criminal Investigation Command, known as CID, confirmed it is leading the criminal investigation into the shooting. Pentagon officials have declined to provide specifics about the incident pending completion of the inquiry.
"Our client deserves answers," the family's attorney said in a statement. "There are witnesses, there is video evidence, and the public has a right to know what happened in those critical moments."
The Tennessee National Guard issued a brief statement confirming that its members were involved in a shooting but provided no additional details. The Guard referred all inquiries to CID.
Key Takeaways
- Army Criminal Investigation Command is conducting the criminal probe into the shooting death
- Family attorney has formally requested release of body camera and surveillance footage
- Tennessee Bureau of Investigation initially responded before federal military investigators took over
- No charges have been filed as investigators examine circumstances of the confrontation
- Guard members' identities remain protected pending investigation completion
What's Next
CID investigators are expected to interview witnesses, review any available video evidence, and reconstruct the sequence of events leading to the shooting. The investigation could take weeks or months depending on complexity.
Once CID completes its inquiry, findings will be reviewed by military legal officials to determine whether any criminal charges are warranted under the Uniform Code of Military Justice. If charges are filed, a military court-martial proceeding would follow.
The family is also considering filing a federal civil rights lawsuit against the government, according to their attorney.