The Anchorage Police Department released edited body cam footage of the fatal shooting of Kristopher Handy. Handy’s family is upset, demanding the full, unedited video. The police chief provided commentary to accompany the video, which displayed the shooting from various perspectives. However, the family’s lawyers say the footage is misleading.
Handy’s fiancée, Harmony Stitt, wants the unedited video, feeling the released version doesn’t tell the whole story. A neighbor, Virginia Miller, also disputes the report’s findings, saying Handy didn’t raise his gun. Lawyers for Handy’s family question the heavily edited footage, wondering why certain angles were blurred or pixelated.
The lawyers are concerned about the lack of transparency and the standard for police shootings in Alaska. They feel the officers used lethal force too quickly, without attempting to de-escalate the situation. Handy’s gun was inoperable, with the firing pin removed. The family’s lawyers also point out that the officers shot into a building with innocent occupants, leaving ten bullet wounds in Handy.
The police department’s handling of the situation has raised concerns about systemic problems with training and policies. Handy’s family feels the city has avoided responsibility, and the officers involved are still on the streets despite a series of officer-involved shootings. The family wants justice but feels none has been served so far.
The Office of Special Prosecutions cleared the four officers involved, saying they feared Kristopher Handy would shoot them. However, Handy’s family and lawyers dispute this, saying he didn’t raise his gun or threaten the officers. The family plans to file a civil lawsuit or federal complaint, seeking justice for Handy’s death. They want the truth to come out and the officers to be held accountable.
This news story was originally published by Alaska News Source.
