Fort Wayne police release bodycam showing the fatal shooting of 22-year-old Linzell Parhm

The City of Fort Wayne and the Fort Wayne Police Department (FWPD) have released edited body camera footage showing the fatal shooting of 22-year-old Linzell Parhm by an FWPD officer over the weekend.

FWPD detectives say the currently unnamed FWPD officer pulled a car over during a traffic stop near Hurd and John Streets around 10:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 22. According to the department’s media release, Parhm was fatally shot after “actions from occupants inside the vehicle caused the Officer to discharge their weapon.” Police have not yet said why the officer initially stopped the car.

On Tuesday, FWPD released the edited body camera footage that had been heavily requested by protesters as well as members of the media.

FWPD PIO Jeremy Webb, who is narrating the video, says the responding officer approached the car and saw a gun by the front seat passenger. They say the officer, “fearing for his life and safety”, repeatedly ordered the passenger to keep his hands on the dash.

They say he was not compliant and kept reaching for the gun after being told to keep his hands on the dash. They say the officer then called for emergency backup, and once in view of the suspect and gun, fired two shots, hitting Parhm.