Footage of police shooting of boy is released

Bodycam footage of a 13-year-old boy being shot dead by police in Chicago showed the youth appearing to drop a handgun and raising his hands less than a second before an officer killed him.

A still frame taken from Officer Eric Stillman’s body camera footage shows Adam Toledo was not holding anything and had his hands up when Officer Stillman shot him once in the chest at about 3am on March 29.

Police, who were responding to reports of shots fired in the area, say the boy had a handgun on him before the shooting.

Officer Stillman’s footage shows him shining a light on a handgun on the ground near Adam after he shot him.

The 34-year-old white officer’s bodycam footage shows him chasing Adam Toledo on foot down an alley for several seconds. As the boy slows down, Officer Stillman calls for Adam to show his hands.

Adam then turns toward the camera, Officer Stillman says: “Drop it!” Midway between repeating that command, he opens fire and the teenager falls.

While approaching the wounded boy, Officer Stillman radios in for an ambulance. He can be heard imploring Adam to “stay awake”.

Officer Stillman’s lawyer Tim Grace said the 13-year-old left the officer no choice but to shoot.

A protester on the streets of Chicago.