Police camera: HPD releases video of fatal shooting of 41-year-old Christopher Johnson | Latest News Headlines

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) – The Houston Police Department released Dec. 26, 2021 body camera footage of a shooting that killed 41-year-old Christopher Johnson in southeast Houston.

Christopher Johnson’s brother, Clarence Johnson, said his brother suffered from mental illness, but refused help.

“If you get shot, you have to do, what you have to do,” Clarence Johnson said, “If you have any family members who are showing symptoms and are out there, ask them for help. before the police catch them.”

“Let people know what’s going on with people’s mental health and illness and know the signs and do something to save it,” said Yolanda Bacon, a close friend of Christopher Johnson. “Not just calling him an armed suspect. If you knew him, you know he wasn’t like that.”

The video shows two officers and a sergeant in a short confrontation between Christopher Johnson and police that lasted less than four minutes.

According to the police, Christopher Johnson ignored the sergeant’s repeated instructions to get hold of the car. He then took his gun and started shooting, in response the police opened fire.

“Unfortunately, we’d like to believe there are other ways to defuse scenes, but there are some people you just can’t do that with,” the Houston Police Officers’ Union president said. Doug Griffith.

Murders in Houston are up 18% in 2021 from 2020, and more than a dozen homicides have been reported this year.

“A lot of these officers are scared. You’re one bad call away from hurting yourself or turning around and being charged,” Griffith said. “Sometimes you feel like it’s never going to end. It’s like you’re on a continuously moving hamster wheel and just want to get off.”

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