Police cameras: HPD releases fatal shooting video of Christopher Johnson, 41 years old
Christopher Johnson’s brother, Clarence Johnson, said his brother was mentally ill, but refused to help.
“If you get shot, you have to, what you have to do,” said Clarence Johnson, “If you have family members who are showing symptoms and are there, get them help before the police arrest you. get them.”
“That people know what’s going on with people’s mental health and illness, and know the signs and do something to save him,” said Yolanda Bacon, a close friend of Christopher Johnson. “Don’t just label him an armed suspect. If you know him, you know he’s not.”
The video shows two officers and a sergeant in a brief stand-off between Christopher Johnson and police that lasted less than four minutes.
Police say Christopher Johnson ignored repeated instructions from the sergeant to put his hand on the vehicle. He then reached for his weapon and started shooting, in response, the police opened fire.
“Sadly, we like to believe there are other ways you can de-escalate, but there are some people you just can’t do that with,” said Doug Griffith, President of the Police Officers Association. Houston said.
Homicides in Houston are up 18 percent in 2021 from 2020, and more than a dozen homicides have been reported this year.
“A lot of officers are scared,” Griffith said. “Sometimes you feel as if it’s never going to end. It feels like you’re on a hamster wheel that’s constantly running and you just want to get out.”
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