Video released of Boston terror suspect's fatal shooting

Image
AP Boston
Last Updated : Jun 09 2015 | 12:22 AM IST
Surveillance video released today of the fatal shooting of a Boston man suspected of plotting to kill police officers shows six plainclothes officers surrounding him before opening fire in a parking lot.
The blurry video shows Usaama Rahim, 26, walking through a parking lot on his way to a bus stop during the early morning hours of June 2.
Officers approach Rahim but back up as Rahim walks toward them in the parking lot. The officers draw their firearms, and Rahim, who is mostly obscured by a light pole during the altercation, falls to the ground.
It is not clear from the video what led officers to draw their weapons or which officers fired them. Police have said two officers, an FBI agent and a police officer, fired three shots. Officials released the original version of the video, which comes from a nearby restaurant, as well as a version that zooms in on the encounter.
Police Commissioner William Evans said Monday that the video "speaks for itself," showing that Rahim, who is black and Muslim, was fatally shot after refusing to drop a military-style knife and that officers were backing away when they fired their guns.
"This guy had a malicious intent," Evans said. "We averted a serious tragedy that day."
Suffolk District Attorney Daniel Conley said release of the video before his office's investigation into the incident is complete comes as the public has demanded greater "transparency and accountability" when officers use lethal force. Media and technology, he said, have also made it easier for "rumor, speculation, and inaccurate information" to spread.
*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Jun 09 2015 | 12:22 AM IST

Next Story