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Newly released body camera footage has ignited fresh scrutiny in the st. louis police teen shooting, showing a 17-year-old boy fatally shot in the back of the head as he ran from officers — a scene starkly at odds with earlier police claims that he had aimed a weapon.

The video, made public Monday, captures a chaotic encounter that unfolded like a story rewritten mid-sentence. As the teen fled, an officer can be heard shouting commands before opening fire. The footage does not show the teenager pointing a weapon, raising serious questions about the use of deadly force.

“We recognize that the use of deadly force is difficult for everyone involved and for the community,” St. Louis Police Department spokesperson Mitch McCoy said in a statement, emphasizing the department’s commitment to transparency despite what he described as “dynamic and rapidly evolving situations.”

Legal Battle Uncovers Key Evidence

The footage surfaced only after a prolonged legal fight. Attorney Al Watkins, representing the family of Emeshyon Wilkins, obtained the video during discovery in a federal lawsuit against the department.

“They fought that video issue for over a year,” Watkins told The Associated Press. “We had to file a federal lawsuit to get it. That’s not transparency. That’s not integrity. Indeed, it’s irresponsible.”

Watkins added that both the family and the broader Missouri community “deserve better,” warning that national and global attention is now fixed on the case.

“The nation is watching. Indeed, the world is looking at St. Louis,” he said, stressing the urgency for accountability. “Time is of the essence — the lives of our children are at stake.”

A Mother’s Grief and Unanswered Questions

For Shaina Wilkins, the teen’s mother, the video offers no closure — only deeper anguish.

“I’m still waiting, I need answers,” she told CBS affiliate KMOV, her words echoing like a refrain of grief. “He should still be here.”

Her son, Emeshyon Wilkins, had turned 17 just two weeks before he was killed in June 2024. According to his attorney, he had no prior criminal record. He was Black.

Disputed Details of the Pursuit

Police say the encounter began when detectives attempted to stop a stolen SUV, triggering what they described as a brief pursuit. Watkins, however, characterized it as a slow-moving chase, with the vehicle traveling roughly 10 mph.

The situation escalated when Wilkins exited the SUV and ran. Two officers followed — one armed with a taser, the other with a firearm.

The bodycam footage shows the armed officer shouting for the teen to get on the ground and to drop a gun. Moments later, shots ring out. Four bullets were fired. One struck Wilkins in the back of the head, killing him.

According to the lawsuit, a firearm was later found in Wilkins’ pocket — but it was disassembled into multiple pieces and could not be fired.

The video does not show the teen holding or pointing a weapon.

“There was no threat to the public,” Watkins said. “You look at the video — there were no furtive movements.”

Police Acknowledge Inconsistencies

Following the video’s release, police admitted that early information shared with investigators and the public did not match what actually occurred.

“Information provided by a third-party… was not consistent with the actual events,” the department said, noting that earlier access to bodycam footage would have provided “greater clarity.”

In response, the department has revised its internal protocols. A member of its body-worn camera unit will now respond directly to major scenes so commanders can review footage before relying on external accounts.

Echoes of Ferguson and Ongoing Tensions

The case reverberates against the historical backdrop of the Ferguson unrest, when the fatal police shooting of Michael Brown — an unarmed Black teenager — sparked months of protests and national debate.

Watkins said the public was promised reform in the years since. Yet, he noted, the officer involved in Wilkins’ death has been placed on paid desk duty, raising concerns about accountability and delays.

Prosecutors Continue Review

The St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s Office confirmed it received the police investigative report in October and is conducting its own independent review.

“The CAO is committed to reviewing each matter as expeditiously as possible,” the office said, “while ensuring that all available evidence and legal considerations are carefully and thoroughly evaluated.”