Elizabeth City in State of Emergency as Officials Anticipate Release of Body Cam Footage in Police Killing

ELIZABETH CITY – The killing of Andrew Brown by a Pasquotank County Sheriffs Deputy, shot while attempting to flee in an automobile as deputies descended with a warrant for arrest on felony drug charges, sparked protests that were exacerbated while bodycam footage of the incident was not immediately released.

At a press conference Monday, the family of Andrew Brown, lead by activists and literally the same attorney that has represented families of other high profile police shootings, was usurped by protesters chanting ‘Stand Up Fight Back’ and ‘Black Lives Mattter.’


The Pasquotank County Sheriff asked a judge Monday to release the bodycam footage, and the Mayor of Elizabeth City declared a state of emergency in anticipation of its release. The case is drawing national attention.

From NPR:

“[…] The video and audio recordings will likely be released “in the very near future,” Elizabeth City Mayor Bettie Parker said in an emergency declaration that was issued Monday morning.

“City officials realize there may potentially be a period of civil unrest within the City following the public release of that footage,” she stated.

City police also announced downtown road closures around the county courthouse and sheriff’s office on Monday, saying the streets “are closed for citizens exercising their constitutional right to a peaceful protest.” […]”

Multiple deputies have resigned, and others placed on administrative leave, following the killing of Brown.

According to local media reports law enforcement are seeking redactions before its public release.

The release of the video, hopefully shining more light on the truth of what happened, will either inflame the protests further, or will fail to satisfy the thirst for revenge by BLM activists, opportunistic attorneys, and those more interested in chaos than understanding.

In the current environment, it’s hard to imagine a scenario in which the new information, even a video showing 100 percent justification for the shooting, having a calming effect. There are too many special interests that benefit from fomenting chaos, and allowing nuanced, honest interpretation isn’t something they are interested in.

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