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The Detroit Police Department is facing backlash after five officers unloaded 38 rounds at 20-year-old Porter Burks within seconds, killing him, according to Detroit Free-Press.
Officials released body camera footage of the chilling incident Tuesday (October 4), which shows Burks, who's diagnosed with schizophrenia, was experiencing a mental health crisis on Sunday (October 2). Burks was reportedly waving a 3.5-inch knife near Snowden and Lyndon streets, and his brother told police he slashed his tires. The sibling said he was concerned for Burks and others' safety, according to the video.
The footage then cuts to officers asking Burks to put the knife down and offering help to him multiple times during crisis intervention negotiations.
"I just want to help you, man, OK? Can you do me a favor and drop the knife? Can you drop the knife for me? Please? Please, whatever you're going through, I can help you. Porter, you're not in any trouble, man," the officer is heard saying. Burks appears to refuse.
As soon as Burks tried to run or approach the officers, they immediately opened fire. Police believe 15 of the 38 rounds may have struck Burks. Cops also claim the 20-year-old was about six feet away from officers when they started shooting, ultimately taking his life.
Police originally reported that Burks was shocked by a stun gun before the fatal shooting, but Detroit Police Chief James White said they're still determining if a stun gun was used. Burks' family learned from authorities he was shocked and shot "at the same time," according to reporters. Body camera footage doesn't show a stun gun being used, either.
Burks' family has been butting heads with police over this detail along with how they handled the tense situation. Relatives were also barred from attending the Tuesday press briefing about Burks' death.
White offered his condolences to Burks' family and defended his officers' actions at the news conference:
"I think the bigger discussion needs to be not what the police are doing with mental health, but who else is helping us with mental health issues... The officers had to stop the threat. There's no time in the three seconds and someone charging at you with a knife to look over and see what other people are doing."
Michelle Wilson, Burks' aunt, called the shooting "flat-out murder."
"They told us to our face they pulled the trigger and the taser at the same time," she told the Free Press. "Y'all didn't even give him a chance. We are outraged."
Wilson said dealing with Burks' illness has been tough for the entire family, but despite that, he was described as a "laid-back" and "sweet" person who loved music and dance.
"The community knows Porter. They trusted Porter. They helped Porter. They loved Porter. He wasn't a threat to no one," Wilson said.
The five officers involved in Burks' shooting are on administrative leave pending an investigation internally and by the Michigan State Police. The findings will be turned over to the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office to determine if the cops will face charges.
The attorney representing Quieauna Burks, the mother of Porter, plans on filing a lawsuit against the Detroit Police Department, according to FOX 2.
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