Fatal Police Shooting Video, Audio Released In Elk Grove Village

ELK GROVE VILLAGE, IL — Audio and video footage from a fatal police shooting earlier this month was released Monday by Elk Grove Village officials. In-squad dashboard cameras and officers' body-worn cameras show the final moments of an encounter between Elk Grove Village police and resident Jack Murray on Dec. 1, in the 200 block of Fern Drive.

"This incident is undoubtedly difficult for the family, and for our community to process," Elk Grove Village Mayor Craig Johnson said in an introduction to the nearly 30-minute video, which includes blurred imagery. "It is our hope that by providing more information about this incident will give everyone a better understanding of what took place and help in the process of healing."

Murray was shot and killed by police after he confronted officers with a knife. Calling it a "less lethal option," Johnson said police twice used a Taser on Murray before fatally shooting him. The 24-year-old called 911 prior to the Dec. 1 incident. Murray was taken to a local hospital following the shooting, where he was later pronounced dead.

RELATED: Police Used Taser Prior To Fatal Shooting In Elk Grove Village — Mayor

In the video, Murray is shown walking along a sidewalk near his home. Police begin interacting with him as he walks down the sidewalk in their direction. Murray is seen carrying an 11.5-inch knife. Police ask Murray to drop the knife before using a Taser to subdue him when he appears to not respond to their commands. Murray, seemingly unaffected by the Taser, continues walking toward police when shots ring out.

According to Murray's family, he experienced physical and emotional distress linked to Type 1 diabetes, which likely led him to call police before he was shot. The encounter took place just a few doors down from the Murrays' home.

The Chicago-based law firm Romanucci & Blandin, LLC has launched a civil investigation into the way officers treated Murray, who they described as an "emotionally distressed person" at the time of the incident and who was known by police. The family believes police officers should have done more to de-escalate the situation and get Murray the help he needed.

RELATED: Man Killed By Elk Grove Village PD Was Emotionally Disturbed — Lawyer

The Murray family's lawyers said he was "physically injured, emotionally distressed, confused and slurring and not OK" on the day of the incident.

"The self-motivated, pre-packaged video montage created by Elk Grove Village Police about the death of Jack Murray shows a decidedly partial version of the event with a heavy hand of spin," attorney Antonio Romanucci said in a statement.

Murray's lawyers contend among the things missing from what was released Monday were "the most critical seconds of the second body cam, showing the interaction between Jack Murray and an officer, along with that view of the shots that were fired." Attorneys also believe police were in possession of a "bean bag" rife, a non-lethal use of force, that was not used.

"We strenuously object to Elk Grove Village adding their personal narrative to the body and dash cam," Romanucci said. "What was released is an edited movie meant to confuse viewers about the legality of what officers are required to do to de-escalate a situation like this with a clearly emotionally distressed person."

The five police officers involved in the incident were placed on administrative leave.

According to Johnson, more of the "voluminous" amount of audio and video recordings regarding the incident will be released in the future.

"While we know the investigation make take weeks or even months to complete, we didn't want to wait any longer than is necessary to share this information with [the public]," Johnson said.

VIEWER DISCRETION: See the full video released Monday by Elk Grove Village here.