Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - The Buffalo Police Department has released body cam footage from an officer-involved shooting last week Thursday that left 58-year-old Charles Butler dead inside a complex along Minnesota Avenue in the city's University District.
Related
The video released by Buffalo Police provides a detailed timeline of 9-1-1 calls to dispatchers on March 6, as Butler was said to be having a mental health crisis and threatening a group of paramedics and a neighbor with a knife. It eventually led to E District officers responding to the first block of Minnesota Avenue at around 10:55 p.m.
The footage shows several officers outside the door of the complex, attempting to ask Butler to open the door. Butler can be heard asking if the officers were from the FBI, and asked officers to slide the badge underneath the door.
After a couple minutes, one of the officers kicked in the door, where Butler was sitting in a chair before standing up and holding two knives in an attacking position. After a brief hesitation, where he was ordered drop the knives, Butler charged at officers in the hallway.
One officer, Officer Collins, can be seen attempting to utilize his taser to take down Butler, but was unsuccessful and backed out of the doorway. As Butler continued charging at officers, another officer, Officer Frank, then discharged his firearm twice, striking Butler twice in the torso.
It appears on the video that Butler attempted to get back up, but officers ordered him to remain on the ground.
Responding officers and emergency medical technicians rendered medical aid to Butler on scene before he was transported by ambulance to Erie County Medical Center. Butler eventually died during surgery just before midnight.
Three officers involved in this incident were placed on administrative leave, as per department policy. The State Attorney General's Office has also launched its own investigation into the officer-involved shooting.
It is believed that Butler moved to Western New York approximately seven months ago.
You can watch the full video provided by Buffalo Police in the player below:
* - WARNING: Due to the graphic nature and language, viewer discretion is advied.