Elizabeth City Declares State of Emergency Before Releasing Bodycam Footage From Andrew Brown Shooting

Elizabeth City, North Carolina issued a state of emergency on Monday as the local government is about to release the body cam footage from the death of Andrew Brown Jr.

Brown, a 40-year-old Black man, was shot dead by police deputies last week as he was being served a warrant for drug-related charges. The shooting sparked a public demand for the police body camera footage, though its release has been prevented so far given North Carolina law holds that only a court order can allow the release of such footage.

CNN reported on Monday that a state of emergency was instituted because Brown’s family is set to receive the footage, and its public release is likely to follow. CNN anchor Kate Bolduan spoke to city manager Montre Freeman about what the order means, and he explained that there are “a lot of resources we will not be able to access if necessary” without the emergency declaration, so he called it a “cautionary move” from himself and the mayor.

“Is the family going to see the body camera video today? Is that your understanding?” Bolduan asked.

“That is my understanding, but the time has not been confirmed or denied,” Freeman said. “So we’re just trying to, you know, make decisions and make the best decisions that we can.”

Watch above, via CNN.