Stupid as can possibly be.
By
Jazlynn Bebout and
Alex Null
Published: Jun. 25, 2024 at 12:57 PM CDT
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 over the weekend.
BACKGROUND: Witness video shows moments before FWPD officer fatally shoots man during traffic stop | Family & friends of Linzell Parhm react following the news of his death
Protests were held in downtown Fort Wayne on both Sunday and Monday to demand the release of police footage in the shooting. Fort Wayne Mayor Sharon Tucker held a press conference Monday evening stating once Parhm’s family views the video, they will share it with the public.
FWPD detectives say an FWPD officer
pulled a car over during a traffic stop near Hurd and John Streets around 10:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 22. According to the department’s media release, Parhm was fatally shot after “actions from occupants inside the vehicle caused the Officer to discharge their weapon.” Police have not yet said 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 captured on video by a witness and has been viewed thousands of times on social media. You can watch that footage
here, viewer discretion is strongly advised.
On Tuesday, 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 is narrating the video, says the responding officer approached the car and saw a gun by the front seat passenger. They say the officer, “fearing for his life and safety”, repeatedly ordered the passenger to keep his hands on the dash.
They say he was not compliant and kept reaching for the gun after being told to keep his hands on the dash. They say the officer then called for emergency backup, and once in view of the suspect and gun, fired two shots, hitting Parhm.
You can watch the full video provided by FWPD below. Viewer discretion is strongly advised.
After the video was released, FWPD
identified the officer involved as Mason Wills, a seven-year veteran of the department.
READ MORE: FWPD identifies officer who shot, killed 22-year-old man during traffic stop
The shooting remains under investigation internally by FWPD and externally by the Indiana State Police. The investigation will then be reviewed by the Allen County Prosecutor’s Office.
Conclusions about whether or not Officer Wills followed FWPD policy will not be determined until after the investigation is complete, a FWPD spokesperson says.
The department sent the following statement along with the video:
“The Fort Wayne Police Department has been in communication with the family of Linzell Parhm, regarding the officer involved shooting that occurred this past weekend. The family has viewed the body camera footage. The body camera footage is being released so the public has a transparent view of what occurred and a more accurate understanding of the events in question.
These events affect everyone involved and it is important to get all the facts necessary before reserving judgement. This situation is unprecedented with the viral video of the incident that has been circulating. Each situation that we encounter in the future will be handled on a case-by-case basis and may not involve the immediate release of body camera footage.”
READ | 21INVESTIGATES: Several questions remain after weekend police shooting | Story continues underneath
A growing memorial has been created for Parhm at the Euell A. Wilson Community Center, a Christian organization where Parhm served as a director.
Memorial created for Linzell Parhm at the Euell Wilson Center.(staff)
The center made a
post on Facebook about his death, saying he “worked tirelessly to ensure all the youth at the center felt a sense of belonging and he cared so deeply for his family and his community.”
“His legacy will be his passion for serving others with care and respect. Our deepest condolences to his family and friends during this very difficult time,” the post reads.
Later on Monday, the center shared photos of children who attended the center writing messages in memory of Parhm.
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.
