Niana Finlayson, 27, was shot and killed by police in Los Angeles, just minutes after she herself called 911 and raised the alarm about her ex-boyfriend who she said was abusing her.
The police have now released a video of the incident.
– Why did you shoot? the ex-boyfriend asks the police in the video.
The incident occurred on December 4 in Lancester, a suburb of Los Angeles in the United States. Niana Finlayson then called 911 and reported that she was attacked by her ex-boyfriend.
When a police patrol arrived at the scene, they could hear screams coming from inside the apartment, according to a police report, reports The Guardian.
The circumstances have been unclear. After the death, the police agency said Niana Finlayson had been holding a knife and threatening her boyfriend when police shot her, while the family said the 27-year-old posed no threat whatsoever.
Holding a knife
In the film that is now being released, Niana Finlayson lets two police officers, one female and one male, into her stairwell. Her nine-year-old daughter stands next to her. Niana Finlayson is holding a knife and says she is “about to stab him, he has hurt my daughter”.
The female police officer enters the apartment first, and the film shows how Niana Finlayson and the ex-boyfriend then make it to the other side of the room. The male officer then enters the apartment, and about three seconds later, he shoots Niana Finlayson four times. The video shows how the police also carry stun guns, which they do not use.
“The police have failed”
Relatives of Niana Finlayson have reported both the Los Angeles Police Department and the state. They demand that the police officer be fired and prosecuted.
The police have started an investigation into the incident and announced that the man may not work in the field until it is finished.
The incident has caused strong reactions across the United States. Civil rights activists have questioned the police’s actions, arguing that the officers failed to calm the situation and instead used lethal force against a woman who needed their help.