Police refuse to release video of killing

DES MOINES, Iowa — Police are refusing to release body camera video of three Des Moines officers fatally shooting a 16-year-old boy during a domestic disturbance last month because of state law preventing footage that shows a minor committing a “delinquent act.”

The Des Moines Register reports that the Police Department was preparing to release the video from all four officers that were involved in the Dec. 26 confrontation before the city’s legal department intervened. The state attorney general’s office already ruled that the officers were legally justified in the shooting because the boy raised a gun at them several times.

The boy’s name has not been released.

Des Moines Police spokesperson Sgt. Paul Parizek said the city lawyers told police that the video’s couldn’t be released under state law. Parizek said the law states that police can’t release records or video about a juvenile allegedly committing a crime before a complaint is filed. He said the law still applies in this case even though the boy was killed and won’t be charged.

The Register said it will continue to pursue the release of the videos in court.

Noah Bollinger, Zachary Duitscher and Thomas Garcie remain on administrative leave while the department reviews the shooting.