NOPD releases body cam footage, cites shooting as justified and praises officer response

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The New Orleans Police Department has released the body camera footage of an officer-involved shooting that happened in Mid-City in September.

“There are times when deadly force is going to be that situation, but that’s what you saw,” NOPD Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick.

Around 11 p.m. on Sept. 8, officers were called to the 3200 block of Bienville Street to a reported domestic disturbance in Mid-City.

In the footage, the accused suspect, 29-year-old Justin Martin, is seen crossing the street initially unarmed. Upon seeing the officers, Martin went to grab his gun.

“Put the gun down. Put the gun down,” said NOPD First District Officer Bronson Jones.

“Officers ordered him to drop the weapon, but he refused, leading to an exchange of gunfire,” said Kirkpatrick.

Body cam footage shows glass from a nearby van shattering after it was struck by bullets.

During the exchange, Officer Jones fired his weapon, striking Martin.

Martin later dropped his gun to the ground, and another officer then moved in to provide medical aid to Martin.

“Hang time man. I’m putting pressure,” said NOPD First District Officer Joseph Wilson.

“Even with bare hands, even with a person bleeding, the officer did not hesitate to go ahead and apply pressure to the wound,” said Kirkpatrick.

Martin has since been released and booked on charges of domestic battery, aggravated assault on a peace officer and resisting arrest.

Though an investigation remains open, the NOPD believes Jones was justified in firing his weapon.

“This is still an ongoing investigation. However, it appears that the officer’s action was within our policy. And that, I think their actions, based on the signaling, were courageous actions,” said Public Integrity Bureau Deputy Chief Keith Sanchez.

Kirkpatrick says domestic violence is among their most dangerous calls, praising the calmness of the responding officers.

“The mindset of calmness and intentionality by the officer, I think we are all very proud of these officers being able, under high stressful situations, to keep their calm and keep their head,” said Kirkpatrick.

After a review of the video by the Public Integrity Bureau Force Investigation Team, Martin will face:

* Two counts of attempted first-degree murder
* Two counts of aggravated assault on a peace officer
* Resisting an officer with violence
* Battery on a dating partner with strangulation