The state attorney general's office released body-camera footage from its ongoing investigation into the death of a man shot by Buffalo police during a March encounter at a Minnesota Street home.
Charles Butler died March 5 after officers responding to a 911 call forced entry into a bedroom and encountered him, Attorney General Letitia James' office said.
Police arrived at the residence around 10:55 p.m. and entered the room three minutes later, according to the attorney general's account.
The office said Butler was allegedly holding a knife in each hand, ran toward an officer and did not comply with commands to drop the weapons. At least one officer deployed a Taser before another officer fired a service weapon, striking Butler.
Butler was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Police recovered two knives at the scene, the attorney general's office said.
The Office of Special Investigation released footage under a policy intended to increase transparency in cases where officers may have caused a death. The videos include content that viewers may find disturbing.
State law requires OSI to assess reported incidents in which an on-duty or off-duty police or peace officer may have caused a person's death. If the initial assessment indicates an officer may have caused the death, the office conducts a full investigation.
The attorney general's office said releasing the footage does not express a conclusion about criminal responsibility or whether anyone should be charged.
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