JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office released bodycam footage on Thursday that depicts different perspectives of the fatal officer-involved shooting in Arlington that sparked community outrage.
Community members demanded answers following the shooting death of Dejuane Hayden, 30.
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JSO said on Thursday, Oct. 10, officers were surveying “some known gang members” and “former gang members” who were “flashing guns” in front of a convenience store on Justina Road.
Since Hayden was a convicted felon it was illegal for him to have a gun, police said.
Hayden was a target in JSO’s Operation Rap, which began in 2018 and focused on convicted felons who were displaying guns posted in music videos on social media.
JSO said Hayden was a “target” in that operation, which led to his encounter with Officer Bradley Griffitts.
The officers doing surveillance had a plan to approach the group and detain them.
Surveillance footage from a business shows police cruisers roll up to the group standing at the opposite end of the camera. Hayden was seen running away as the officers approached.
Griffitts immediately ran after Hayden and demanded that the 30-year-old “get on the [expletive] ground.”
As he is running after Hayden, Griffitts yells “gun, gun, gun and fires four shots, video shows. At this point in the video, it’s unclear if Hayden was hit.
Hayden dropped to the ground and also dropped the gun beside him, JSO said. JSO highlighted what appears to be a gun in the video posted Thursday.
News4JAX Crime and Safety Analyst Tom Hackney said the officer had the right to shoot Hayden because he was holding a deadly weapon.
“It’s a matter of milliseconds that the officers have to perceive the fact that gun is in his hand and turning and being used against him so that officer is protecting his own life in the use of deadly force in that particular situation,” Hackney said.
Griffitts commands Hayden to “Stay on the ground” but he gets back up and continues running and the officer follows.
Griffitts ends the chase and relays Hayden’s location to other officers.
Then, another officer, identified as Officer Anderson, found Hayden lying on his back on the front porch of a home.
Anderson’s bodycam video shows her telling him to put his hands above his head while she points a gun at him as Hayden informs her that he is shot in the chest.
Other officers arrived to render aid to Hayden before paramedics could arrive. He was taken to the hospital, where he died.
Hackney said it appears Hayden might have survived if he didn’t run after he was shot.
“The more he’s running, the more his blood pressure’s up. The more blood flowing, the faster it’s flowing, and most likely, he’s bleeding out inside of himself as he’s running,” Hackney said.
JSO also addressed the Facebook live video that circulated on social media and caused community concerns over the officer‘s actions.
Viewers could hear gunshots go off in the video and Hayden‘s brother Brandon Boyd is seen in handcuffs walking with Sgt. Gaston, who arrested him.
Boyd was arrested and accused of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, armed possession of marijuana and exhibition of a firearm.
“This video was not recorded at the actual shooting scene and does not show the shooting itself,” JSO said.
Boyd is heard saying, “Y’all just shot my little brother!” repeatedly.
After a search of the area, JSO said it found a $10 bill that tested positive for the drug “Molly” and a pistol inside a vehicle.
JSO said it saw Boyd place the gun on the front passenger seat of that vehicle.
JSO also noted that another individual was spotted handing off what appeared to be a pistol to a man inside the store. JSO said the man hid the suspected gun under a shelf in the store.
Officers found the apparent gun and discovered it was a BB gun.
JSO said the next step in the investigation is for the State Attorney‘s Office to conduct a review of the officer’s actions to decide if his actions were lawful.
After that is concluded, a JSO review board will also begin an administrative investigation to see if the officer’s actions were in police compliance policy.
JSO said this begins with the convening of a Response to Resistance Review Board, in which the officer is compelled to provide testimony about his actions during the incident.
The board’s conclusions will then be submitted to Sheriff T.K. Waters for final review.
“JSO does not draw any conclusions regarding whether the officer’s actions were appropriate with respect to the law or JSO policy until all the facts are known and the investigation has been completed,” JSO said.
Viewer’s discretion is advised: JSO’s full incident briefing includes footage that some may find disturbing or hard to watch.