'Put It Down!' Don't Do It!' Bodycam Video Shows Fatal Police Shooting Of Jersey City Man

JERSEY CITY, NJ — State officials have released bodycam footage of the fatal shooting of a 26-year-old man in Jersey City by police last year.

Steven B. Sanchez, 26, of Jersey City, was shot by Sgt. Ricardo Reyes on the afternoon of Sept. 5, officials have said.

Reyes exchanged fire with Sanchez after he and other Jersey City officers got out of their patrol cars near the sidewalk of John F. Kennedy Boulevard, officials have said. Police believed Sanchez had shot at their patrol cars, officials said.

Police recovered a compressed air pistol at the scene.

Sanchez was taken to Jersey City Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 8:45 p.m.

Reyes sustained a non-life-threatening injury, they said.

The state Attorney General's Office reviews every death that occurs during a police encounter.

The Video

On Wednesday, the office released bodycam footage, audio transmissions, and some evidence in the investigation.

Officials said that at approximately 1:22 p.m., two Jersey City officers were traveling southbound on John F. Kennedy Blvd., passing Reyes' police car, which was traveling northbound.

Reyes soon made a U-turn, explaining later that he believed someone might have shot at his patrol car.

A witness pointed out Sanchez, state officials said.

The other police car also made a U-turn to investigate shots fired, state officials said.

"They observed Mr. Sanchez to have what appeared to be a handgun and began issuing commands for him to drop the weapon," the Attorney General's Office said Wednesday. "Mr. Sanchez then pointed the weapon in the officers’ direction. Sergeant Reyes then exited his police vehicle and exchanged fire with Mr. Sanchez, who was struck and injured."

The recordings show a man running past police, and one officer saying, "Put it down! Don't do it!"

What follows are anguished screams and police handcuffing a man.

The recordings are available here. (Warning: The content may be disturbing to some viewers.)

The investigation is ongoing and no further information is being released at this time, officials said.

READ MORE: Armed Man Shoots At Jersey City Police Cars: PD