INDIANAPOLIS — IMPD has released edited bodycam footage of a fatal police shooting on Indy's east side back in May.
Around 9 a.m. on May 28, IMPD officers responded to the 2800 block of North Post Road, near East 30th Street, on a report of an armed carjacking at a gas station. In the video released by IMPD, security camera footage of the carjacking is shown.
The footage shows the suspect approaching the victim's car with a handgun and knocking on the window. The victim is seen being forced out of the car after the suspect told her he would "shoot her if she didn't give him everything."
According to the security footage, the suspect vehicle, which contained three suspects, sped away before the carjacked vehicle sped away.
Officer Austin Kirby located the suspect vehicle and stolen vehicle in the 9100 block of Cavalier Court, which was just behind the gas station. The suspect was seen wearing a mask and pink gloves with a gun holstered in his waistband.
The video then shows Officer Kirby's bodycam footage, which shows an initial pursuit. Officer Kirby is heard telling the suspects to "get on the (expletive) ground." The suspect can be seen running toward a car and picking something up from the ground before getting inside the fleeing car. Officer Kirby fires multiple shots in the direction of the suspects.
WARNING: The critical incident video contains graphic video and language. Those wishing to view it can find it here.
As the footage continues, Officer Kirby catches up to one of the suspects, later identified as 20-year-old Jerrett Dwain Gray Jr., and fires multiple shots in his direction. As Gray falls to the ground, Officer Kirby keeps his distance and orders Gray to put his arms out. Gray attempts to do so, but later falls motionless.
IMPD shows the bodycam footage once again, but highlights what Officer Kirby saw both times prior to his firing his weapon. Both times, Gray can be seen reaching for an object, believed to be a gun, on the ground before Officer Kirby fires shots.
The footage continues and shows officers surround a lifeless Gray and locate a second firearm.
IMPD said detectives located the suspect car in the 300 block of North Shortridge Road, near Shadeland Avenue and East Washington Street, using techniques including automated license plate reader technology.
The video concludes with IMPD saying several men were detained in connection with the carjacking and that 20-year-old Joseph Dauda was arrested for his role in the armed robbery. The victim's car was also recovered.
"I love my son, you know? He's my oldest son, my junior," said Jerrett Gray Sr., the father of Jerrett Gray Jr. "The only thing inside my mind was the whole time how scared he was and how confused he was on really not knowing what to do."
"The whole time he's running and he's getting shot in his back. The whole time. You can see as the officer was approaching him, if he was really fearful for his life, there was a trash can that he passed that he could have taken cover. He could have done anything to salvage my son's life. It's tough being a father and having to see your child in a situation that is just so helpless ... and just to think about him screaming," said Gray Sr.
"I don't make any excuse, I don't make any reservation for whatever he's being accused of," the father said. "However there is no reason that he had to be killed. He was really shot down."