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Antonio Martin shooting: Police admit 'bad choices were made' following the death of armed teenager Antonio Martin shooting: Police admit 'bad choices were made' following the death of armed black teenager
(about 1 hour later)
Surveillance footage of Antonio Martin's shooting by Missouri police appears to show the teenager raise a weapon in the direction of the officer. Surveillance footage of Antonio Martin's shooting by Missouri police appears to show the teenager raising a weapon in the direction of the officer.
Speaking to reporters, St Louis police chief Jon Belmar said that "bad choices were made" — including the officer's decision to not use a taser, or wear his issued body camera. Martin, 18, who did not actually pull the trigger, was shot at three times by the officer but hit only once.
Martin, 18, who did not actually pull the trigger, was shot three times by the officer. Speaking to reporters, St Louis police chief Jon Belmar said that "bad choices were made" — many by Martin but also the officer's decision to not use a taser, or activate his issued body camera.
  Belmar said: “The officer responded with what he thought was commensurate force at the time. Bad choices were made.
Belmar stressed that 18-year-old Martin, who had a record of assault and fire-arms offences was "known to law enforcement". "This individual could have complied with the officer. It didn't have to end with him approaching him with is arm extended and an 9mm pistol in his hand.”
As for the protests that followed Martin's death, Belmar reported that one officer had been injured in the explosion caught on film, and another who had been struck by a brick. He said it would be "not reasonable" to expect that the officer use a taser.
Belmar said he was asked why a taser was not used by the #Berkeley police officer. He said it's not reasonable.
The officer that shot Martin, who was responding a report of robbery, was described as 34 years old, white and having spent 6 years on the force, but his name was not given.
He had not switched on his body cam - which was wearing - or his vehicle camera - which was equipped - because, like many of St Louis police officers, he is "not used to" the new technology, according to Belmar.
Clarification on body cam. #Berkeley police officer was issued body cam, but was not using it.
Belmar claims, however, that the surveillance footage provided by the Mobil gas station is "really pretty good".
Two witnesses have come forward, but police are still searching for Martin's friend who fled so they can hear his account.
Martin was "known to law enforcement" as he had a record of three assault charges since he turned 17, and fire-arms offences.
As for the protests that followed Martin's death, Belmar reported that one officer had been injured in the 'fireworks' explosion caught on film, and another had been struck by a brick.
He said it was "disturbing" that protesters threw rocks at the police, but maintained that no officer used pepper spray.He said it was "disturbing" that protesters threw rocks at the police, but maintained that no officer used pepper spray.
Four arrests were made - all for assaults against police - and the gathering of around 100 people had since dispersed. Four arrests were made - all for assaults against police - and the estimated number of protesters was revised to 300 up from 100.
More to follow The crowd has since dispersed.