Surveillance video has been released of the moment 17-year-old Kristiana Coignard was gunned down by the police in Longview, Texas last week.
The Longview Police Department released the 23-minute-long video, which shows the teen in several scuffles with officers after entering the police station while allegedly wielding a butcher knife. Coignard’s aunt Heather Robertson claims the teen battled bipolar disorder and depression since the death of her mother.
Glenn Derr, the first officer to arrive, can be seen tackling the teen. More police officers convene soon after, including Grace Bagley, who was on the scene for just a few seconds before fatally shooting Coignard. Police claim they used Tasers on the teen to restrain her, but they didn’t work.
According to Think Progress:
Derr quickly gets off her back but Coignard remains on the ground. At this point, Derr appears to have his gun drawn. At 10:50, the second officer, Gene Duffie, arrives in the lobby. Coignard gets back up. At 11:05, a third officer, identified as Grace Bagley enters.
Three seconds later, Coignard runs toward Derr. Longview Police Chief Don Dingler says she was wielding a butcher knife, although it is hard to make out in the video. (Dingler also say that Coignard had the words “I have a gun” written on her hand.) According to police, Officer Duffie first deployed his Taser but it had “no effect.” But about a second after Coignard began charging it appears that shots were fired. Derr fired at Coignard three times and Bagley, who had been on the scene less than five seconds, fired twice.
Robertson was told there would be another video released with sound.
Take a look at the full visual below.
SOURCE: Think Progress | VIDEO CREDIT: News Inc.
