Bodycam video released in deadly shooting of Kadir Skinner in Wilmington

WILMINGTON, Del. - Authorities in Delaware have released a series of body-worn camera videos from the June 24 officer-involved shooting that left a Kadir Skinner, 19, dead. 

Skinner's family and community leaders had previously demanded the videos be released to the public. 

The backstory:

Investigators say officers were patrolling near the intersection of 24th and Jessup streets in Wilmington just after 11 p.m. on June 24 when they observed a large gathering.

While officers were monitoring the crowd, investigators say they saw a man armed with a handgun exit a residence and point the firearm towards the crowd. When officers approached the 19-year-old, later identified as Kadir Skinner, police say he fled on foot. 

During the chase, an officer "engaged the suspect and discharged their department-issued firearm, striking the suspect." He was taken to a local hospital where he died. 

Police say officers recovered a loaded firearm from the suspect. No officers were injured in the encounter.

What they're saying:

Attorneys for the family say the video shows Skinner was shot while running away from police. 

"Now the entire world is able to see the last moment of a young brother Kadir Skinner whose entire life was ahead of him while he was shot running away from police," said Chance Lynch, civil rights attorney. 

Police say officers responded to a large crowd and saw a man leaving a home armed with a gun, pointing it toward the crowd. 

Investigators say when officers approached Skinner, he ran, and during a foot chase, an officer shot him in the upper left buttocks area. 

The video includes audio of Skinner saying, "I don't got nothing. I can't breath..I can't breath." 

An officer can be heard calling for help, "We need medical.. We need medical." 

Attorneys for Skinner’s family dispute the police account, saying, "When police pulled up, I didn't see a large crowd. I saw a large crowd after police fired shots and shot him in the back and Kadir was lying in the street saying I can't breath," said Lynch. 

A crowd gathered at the scene, including Skinner’s mother, who can be heard yelling, "That's my son. Back off. Back off." The officer who fired his weapon told another officer, "I just shot him. Okay.. relax." 

Police say they recovered a loaded .45 caliber handgun with an extended magazine at the scene. 

Attorneys for the family say Skinner had just left his grandmother’s house and the video shows him being chased by a pitbull. 

"We dont believe that Kadir even knew that a police officer was chasing him cause he ws running from a dog," said Harry Daniels, civil rights attorney.

"Regardless if he had a gun or not, he was still shot in the back, running from police, not being a threat," said Daniels. 

A joint statement from Mayor John Carney, Delaware Attorney General Jennings, and Wilmington Police Chief Campos said, "While body cameras are an important and necessary tool for transparency between law enforcement and the community, they have limitations and this footage does not capture the totality of the incident." 

Attorneys for the Skinner family say they want justice. "As a former prosecutor, I think it's crystal clear, what does that mean. It's time for the officer to face charges... clapping," said Lynch. 

What we know:

State and Wilmington city officials jointly released the body-worn camera video from three officers on Thursday afternoon. The faces and names of witnesses at the scene and officers were redacted due to the ongoing criminal investigation, officials said in a press release. 

The rest of the footage was otherwise unaltered, officials say. 

You can find each of the three videos below. WARNING: This video is unedited and may be disturbing to viewers. 

Officer 1 Body-Worn Camera Video 

Officer 2 Body-Worn Camera Video 

Officer 3 Body-Worn Camera Video 

Each video begins shortly before each of the three officers arrives on the scene, and ends after they return to their vehicles. According to officials, the cameras are designed to automatically and constantly record video, but not audio, as part of the ‘buffering’ period until the camera is activated manually. 

Officials say they released the video as a ‘matter of public interest’ and that the investigation into the shooting remains active. 

Community reaction and calls for accountability

Local perspective:

Attorneys for Skinner’s family say the video’s release is a step toward transparency but insist it shows the shooting was not justified. 

The family’s attorneys and supporters are calling for charges against the officer involved. City and state officials say the body camera footage does not show the full story. 

Their joint statement emphasized the importance of transparency but also the limitations of video evidence. 

The video’s release has sparked strong reactions from the community, with a crowd gathering at the scene and Skinner’s mother confronting police. 

The case continues to draw attention and calls for accountability. 

What's next:

The family of Kadir Skinner is expected to hold a press conference Thursday at 3 p.m. to address the release of the footage and the state of the investigation. 

What we don't know:

The officers involved in the incident have yet to be publicly identified. Officials say those officers will be identified and all evidence will be published as a part of the final public report at the conclusion of the investigation, according to the press release issued Thursday. 

It is not clear whether any charges will be filed against the officer involved. Officials have not released the full details of the investigation or additional evidence related to the shooting.

WilmingtonCrime & Public Safety