Detroit police release video of officers shooting Porter Burks armed with knife
Detroit Police have released body cam video of officers fatally shooting a man armed with a knife who ran toward them early Oct. 2.
The family of Porter Burks, 22, told police that Burks was in a mental health crisis and he was armed with a knife. He had slashed his brother’s tires, police were told.
The video, shown by police during a press conference Tuesday, Oct. 4, shows officers approach Burks and offer him help. Detroit Police Chief James White said he released body cam video to be transparent, but also because of misinformation about he had heard and read about the incident.
Officers found Burks in the area of Snowden near Lyndon, standing in the middle of a street. He was holding an eight-inch knife.
“Drop the knife for me man. Come here real quick. You’re OK. You’re not in any trouble. You’re not in any trouble,” an officer tells Burks. “Can you just talk to me and drop the knife?”
Officers repeatedly try to calm Burks over about five minutes.
“We’re here to help you, Porter,” an officer says.
But at some point, the video shows he begins running toward officers and appearing to wave his arms.
Officers fired 38 shots in three seconds, striking Burks multiple times.
“This is a very tragic situation,” Detroit Police Chief James White told media Tuesday, Oct. 4. “Certainly not the desired outcome.”
“This is not what we wanted. The officer were trying to negotiate with him and, without provocation, he charged the officer(s) with a knife in hand,” White said.
Police said Burks had a history of struggling with mental illness he had a pattern of being brought to receive psychological services but being released with insufficient follow-up to make sure he was taking his medication.
“This is a system that has failed Mr. Burks and failed Mr. Burks’ family, because they obviously tried to get him help, and unfortunately it culminated in the incident (Oct. 2),” White said.
“Our mental health crisis in this country is real,” White said.
-
1:45:18
Steven Crowder
3 hours ago🔴 Magical Mystery Faith Healing with Tumor Toucher Cori Bush
115K171 -
DVR
Benny Johnson
1 hour agoIT'S HAPPENING: The PLOT To REPLACE Joe Biden Has Been Put Into ACTION | DNC In Panic As Trump ROLLS
6.74K26 -
25:04
Breaking Points
2 hours ago6/18/24: LIVE AMA!
7.3K5 -
LIVE
jeffahern
1 hour agoTrending Tuesday With Jeff Ahern (9am Pacific)
104 watching -
9:45
Dr Steve Turley
1 hour agoIT’S OVER! Reports Coming Out Biden Will Be REPLACED!!!
1.02K10 -
1:12:04
Graham Allen
4 hours agoREVEALED: Plan To REPLACE Biden! + US on high alert for terror threat!
35.1K77 -
2:06:17
Matt Kohrs
16 hours agoGameStop Plummets, Bitcoin on Edged & Trading $1M || The MK Show
23.4K3 -
1:34:41
MTNTOUGH Fitness Lab
1 day agoDR. ANDY GALPIN: Unlocking Elite Performance: Mental & Physical Mastery
12.7K -
1:15:51
2 MIKES LIVE
4 hours agoThe Mike Schwartz Show 06-18-2024
5.6K1 -
38:52
Rethinking the Dollar
2 hours agoSigns of The Economy Rolling Over: Bad News for the Auto Industry | Tuesday Morning Check-In w/ Mike
11.9K11