Body camera footage was released Monday that shows a CMPD officer shoot and kill a man whom authorities say was pointing a rifle at police. The shooting of 25-year old Iaroslav Mosiiuk occurred on March 8th in north Charlotte.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUpYHBbPv5M&feature=youtu.be
Police were responding to a suicide call made by Mosiiuk's sister. An officer is heard yelling “he’s got a gun” upon knocking on the door. Officers disperse. Officer Brian Walsh took cover behind a CMPD SUV. He then fires one shot. Mosiiuk, a Ukranian immigrant, goes down immediately. Mosiuk’s sister was next to Walsh as the shot was fired.
District Attorney Andrew Murray says the shooting was justified. He announced last week that charges would not be filed.
In the video, it's difficult to see the rifle that authorities say Mosiiuk was holding. The rifle was inoperable, but Murray said Walsh and fellow officer Michael Dezenzo didn't know that. (Officer Dezenzo's body camera)
In releasing the video on the city’s website, a statement indicates that Walsh feared for the life of Dezenzo.
“Mr. Mosiiuk ran in the direction of Officer Dezenzo and began tracking Officer Dezenzo’s movement with the rifle. Officer Walsh observed Mr. Mosiiuk, whose back was turned to Officer Walsh at the time, pointing the gun at Officer Dezenzo. Officer Brian Walsh fired his service weapon and struck Mr. Mosiiuk in an attempt to stop the imminent threat,” the statement says.
In his body camera video, Walsh indicates he was the person under threat when an officer asks if he’s all right.
“Yeah I’m fine,” Walsh says. “Mother-Fxxxxx pointed a rifle at me.” (7:54 mark)
Walsh then calls his wife and says, “I just had to shoot somebody. I’m going to be a while.”
