ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The Rochester Police Department has released police body-worn camera footage after a robbery suspect was shot and killed by officers last Wednesday at the Family Dollar on West Main Street.
That footage, which can be seen here, shows officers entering the store, where they ask if someone has a gun. Police say that initial 911 calls came in from an employee who stated the store was being robbed.
A man behind the counter, later identified as Simran Gordon, 24, is asked by an officer to remove his hands from his pocket, before he runs away.
In an aisle, shots can be heard being fired. Police say Gordon fired in the direction of the officer, and officers returned fire.
Another officer's body camera footage shows a brown bag in which police say Gordon had concealed his gun inside.
Gordon, who police say is a suspect in three homicides, died in the shooting.
Police say that officers did not initially render first aid to Gordon because they had to ensure there were no other suspects in the store.
Free the People Roc says they’re skeptical of the narrative, as they say the video doesn’t clearly show Gordon ever firing his weapon.
“In the beginning, the narrative was this was a shootout, which means there’s an exchange of fire,” Ashley Gantt of Free the People Roc said. “The police chased him down and shot him in the back four times.”
Gordon’s brother, who did not wish to be identified, says Simran wasn’t the kind of person who would commit armed robbery.
“He was a good guy,” he said. “He could get along with everybody -- anyone -- doesn’t matter your color, your age, your race – anyone.”
Both Gordon’s family and Free the People Roc want to see unredacted body cam footage, and video from the store. They also want forensic evidence to prove whether or not Gordon actually even possessed or fired a gun, and want the officers suspended while a proper investigation takes place.
“I asked them for forensics,” Antonia Winter, Gordon’s cousin, said. “They have not conducted any forensics on the gun, any forensics to see if there was gun residue on Simran’s hand. Or, excuse me, the individual’s hand. Because again, he’s not identifiable by their camera footage.”
Gordon’s family says they haven’t even been allowed to see Gordon’s body yet. They want answers and justice.
“After the footage I’ve seen, which I already know in my heart already, but after the footage I’ve seen he was gunned down,” Simran’s uncle, Lynden Gordon, said. “It wasn’t a robbery. It wasn’t an exchange of gunfire or a shootout. It was a complete and total murder.”
Free the People Roc and the Community Justice Initiative had previously called for an independent investigation into Gordon's death and for the unredacted body camera footage to be released to the family.
The New York State Attorney General’s Office is investigating the incident.