FWPD releases body camera footage in fatal shooting of 22-year-old man

Lina Portman2 weeks ago

6 3 minutes read

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WPTA) – 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 during of the weekend.

BACKGROUND: Witness video shows moments before FWPD officer kills man during traffic stop | Family and friends of Linzell Parhm react to news of his death

Protests took place in downtown Fort Wayne on Sunday and Monday to demand the release of police footage of the shooting. Fort Wayne Mayor Sharon Tucker held a news conference Monday evening, saying once Parhm's family views the video, they will share it with the public.

Protesters gather at the Allen County Courthouse Monday evening following the shooting death of Linzell Parhm.(staff)

FWPD detectives say the currently unnamed FWPD officer stopped a car during a traffic stop near Hurd and John streets around 10:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 22. According to the department's press release, Parhm was fatally shot after “the actions of the occupants inside the vehicle caused the officer to discharge his weapon.” Police have not yet explained why the officer initially stopped the car.

An FWPD spokesperson said the officer involved was placed on administrative leave per FWPD policy. The shooting was filmed and viewed thousands of times on social media. You can watch this sequence hereViewer discretion is strongly advised.

On Tuesday, the 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 narrates the video, says the responding officer approached the car and saw a gun near the front passenger. They claim the officer, “fearing for his life and safety,” repeatedly ordered the passenger to keep his hands on the dashboard.

They say he didn't follow the rules and continued to reach for the gun after he was told to keep his hands on the dashboard. They say the officer then called for emergency backup and, once in sight of the suspect and the gun, he fired two shots, hitting Parhm.

You can watch the full video provided by FWPD below. Viewer discretion is strongly advised.

The FWPD has yet to publicly identify the officer despite requests from 21Alive News.

The shooting remains under investigation internally by the FWPD and externally by the Indiana State Police. The investigation will then be reviewed by the Allen County Prosecutor's Office.

Conclusions on whether the officer acted within FWPD policy will not be determined until the investigation is complete, an FWPD spokesperson said.

The ministry sent the following statement with the video:

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A growing memorial was established for Parhm at the Euell A. Wilson Community Center, a Christian organization of which Parhm served as director.

Memorial established for Linzell Parhm at the Euell Wilson Center.(staff)

The center posted a message on Facebook about his death, saying he “worked tirelessly to ensure that all young people at the center felt a sense of belonging and that he cared deeply about his family and community “.

“His legacy will be his passion to serve others with care and respect. Our deepest condolences to his family and friends during this very difficult time,” the message read.

Later Monday, the center shared photos of children who attended the center and who wrote messages in Parhm's memory.

While also working at the center, Parhm was a barber and started his own lawn care business. His family says he was also very active in his church.