Authorities have released the police body camera and dash cam video of the fatal arrest attempt of 45-year-old Derrick Kittling of Alexandria on November 6th. Lt. Melissa Matey says the video shows a Rapides Parish Sheriff’s deputy involved in a scuffle with Kittling during a traffic stop and during the physical altercation Kittling gained possession of the deputy’s taser.
“As the physical struggled ensued, the Deputy discharged his duty weapon striking Kittling,” said Matey. “Kittling was transported to a local hospital for treatment, but ultimately succumbed to his injuries,” said Matey.
State Police Colonel Lamar Davis says L-S-P is conducting a thorough investigation that will be done fairly and impartially.
“We’re not going to take any shortcuts, we are going to turn over every stone we can to make sure we get the facts of this investigation,” said Davis.
Davis says Kittling’s vehicle was pulled over in a residential area due to a violation with his window tint and a modified exhaust. There have been a couple of peaceful protests since the shooting and the family has hired civil rights attorney Ben Crump. Davis says the family has seen the footage.
“And I really don’t want to comment because this is difficult and my heart goes out to the family and to be honest with you that’s not for me to comment on,” said Davis.
The following is a statement from Sheriff Mark Wood in reference to the release of the Louisiana State Police Critical Incident Community Briefing.
My responsibility as Sheriff is to be transparent and accountable to the citizens of Rapides Parish as well as our deputies. I support the release of these videos to ensure the public has a transparent and unbiased account of what occurred.
Today’s release of the videos of the incident has provided context of what occurred.
Anytime a serious injury or death is involved, it is a tragedy and families on both sides are impacted forever.
I would like to express my condolences to the Kittling family and ask for prayers of healing for our community and everyone involved.
I would like to thank the community for their patience in allowing the Louisiana State Police to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation.
And last, I would like to thank Colonel Lamar Davis and all of the investigators and troopers involved in this investigation for their integrity and professionalism during this very difficult time.
Here’s the video that State Police has released. Viewer discretion is advised.
Civil Rights attorney Ben Crump says footage of the fatal arrest of Derrick Kittling confirms what they suspected that the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Deputy, Rodney Anderson, escalated and demonstrated the use of unnecessary force during a traffic stop on November 6th in Alexandria.
Here’s his statement:
“The newly-released footage in the Derrick Kittling case confirms what we had suspected from our initial review of the facts: Derrick‘s killing was unwarranted and completely preventable. We believe that Deputy Rodney Anderson profiled Derrick from the moment he initiated this out-of-jurisdiction traffic stop for window tint and a modified exhaust.
“Deputy Anderson escalated and demonstrated the use of unnecessary deadly force during this traffic stop. Law enforcement officers who act without consideration of the deadly consequences of using force should not be serving our communities. We are calling for Rodney Anderson’s employment to be terminated immediately –– this community deserves to know that law enforcement in their communities will protect and serve, not inflict deadly harm.”
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