Body camera footage released by the Canton Police Department shows the moments that led to a deadly officer-involved shooting, where a suspect was observed firing his weapon into the air on New Year's Day.

According to official reports, officers were dispatched to 2300 block of 10th Street SW just after midnight on January 1st, 2022. As shown in the body camera footage, a responding officer arrived at the residence, where reported gunfire had been taking place minutes before the officer involved shooting occurred. While the officer patrolled the surrounding area on foot, a large burst of munitions was heard in the nearby yard. As the officer rounded the corner, a six-foot privacy separated himself and the alleged gunman.

Without the awareness of what was taking place, the officer fired numerous shots through the wooden fence, striking the man an neutralizing him. Canton Police Chief Jack Angelo said “the officer feared for his safety and shot the man”. The man, later identified as 46-year-old James Williams, was taken to an area hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries. Although the circumstances of the situation can be misinterpreted, countless police agencies reiterate the dangers of firing lethal rounds into the air, regardless of them being celebratory or not.

Since the incident, Williams' wife made an appearance on local news networks stating she "demands justice because her husband was placed in an unsafe situation by police".

What are your thoughts on this incident? Do you think the officer should have attempted providing verbal commands over the roaring gunfire, potentially risking his own life? Or do you believe the officers shooting was justified. Let us know in the comments below.