FARMINGTON, Utah — A week after Farmington officers opened fire on a 25-year-old man after a traffic stop, police released the body camera video showing what led up to the fatal shooting.
Footage from the body cameras of all five police officers was shown, as well as dash camera footage from the first responding officer who initially conducted a routine traffic stop on Chase Allan.
Body cam A video shows interaction between Allan and officer (Warning: Video contains graphic images and language)
Police said a "placard" was placed on the rear of the vehicle instead of a license plate, which was why Allan was pulled over in the first place.
"There's a flag symbol and then to be quite honest, I don't even know what the text says on there," said Farmington Police Chief Eric Johnsen.
In the video, the officer and Allan are heard greeting each other before the officer explained the reason for the traffic stop was due to a lack of registration on the vehicle.
"I don't need registration and I don't answer questions," Allan is heard saying in the video.
Body cam E video shows shooting of Allan (Warning: Video contains graphic images and language)
At that point, the officer calls in for backup officers to help respond and asks for Allan to identify himself.
"So, here's the deal man, I'm stopping you because there's no registration on your vehicle, and I'm requesting your identification," the officer tells Allan. "You are detained at this time and you are not free to leave."
In response, Allan tells the officer he "does not answer questions."
"If you want my identification you'll be under arrest and you accept surety and trustingship over it," Allan is heard saying. "Meaning you will be responsible for any debts you're trying to incur here."
Dash cam video shows Allan being pulled over and interaction (Warning: Video contains graphic images and language)
The exchange continues between the officer and Allan as the officer repeatedly asks for identification and Allan refuses.
"Do you want to identify yourself or do you want to go a different route," the officer responds. Allan then hands over a U.S. passport.
At that point in the video, additional officers arrived and ordered Allan out of the vehicle.
"Step out of the car for me," the initial officer ordered.
"No," Allan responds.
"Sir, step out of the vehicle right now," the officer orders again.
"No, I am not required to," Allan is heard saying in the video.
Body cam B video (Warning: Video contains graphic images and language)
As the officer continues to order Allan out of the vehicle, Allan is heard in the video warning that they will "have an issue" if they proceed.
Police pointed out that there was a holster under Allan's coat on his right leg and his phone was in his right hand before it was shifted to his left hand.
In addition, police report the holster has flex movement as Allan's right hand moves near it.
The initial responding officer opens the door of the vehicle while a second officer is seen trying to remove Allan from the vehicle, video shows.
An officer then shouts "gun" several times before shots are heard from various officers surrounding Allan's vehicle. "Cease fire" is then heard by an officer.
Body cam C video (Warning: Video contains graphic images and language)
A holster was found on Allan's right hip, as well as a gun on the floor of the driver side of the car.
FOX 13 News asked the chief about training when it comes to these types of situations.
"Officers are trained to respond using deadly force when there's an imminent threat of serious bodily injury or death or death to them or anyone other than the suspect and, and what I see on that video is officers not responding to someone that just has a gun in a holster," said Chief Johnsen.
Retired Unified Police Deputy Chief Chris Bertram spoke about what he saw, when it comes to Allan's actions.
"When I see that he kind of bucks his hips up and, and shifts himself sideways, those are actions that I have done in the past with regards to being in a car as a police officer and trying to get that gun out," said Bertram.
He also looked at the officer's actions as well.
"The fact that the officer yells gun and then disengages at some point, makes me believe that, you know, if, if he's pulled a gun at that point, this is a lethal situation for the police officers," said Bertram.
Some questions remain, was the gun registered to Allan or someone else.
Also, was Allan reaching for his seatbelt, rather than the gun.
"Could have been, it's in the same location."
The chief says he feels the escalation of force, from verbal to hands-on was reasonable and appropriate by his officers.
"Had they have chosen to use a pepper ball to use a taser to use some other impact weapon? Something actually higher level of force than, than hands on? I think we would be questioning that to be quite honest," said Chief Johnsen.
Allan's mother, Diane Allan, recently sued the Farmington Police Department after she was cited and fined $100 for traffic violations. During her courtroom appearance in September, audio revealed an outburst by a man believed to be Chase Allan, leading to bailiffs removing him from the court.
Body cam video (Warning: Video contains graphic images and language)
Johnsen said he believes the officers involved did not know about previous dealing with the family.
"Four of those officers on scene have been with the department 7-8 months max," Johnsen explained. "One of those officers on scene has been with us 12 years and has not had any involvement with that family."
He said that upon watching the video, Johnson said he saw things go in a "tragic direction."
"I see police officers that made a lawful and reasonable traffic stop and dealt with someone that was combative, let me change that word from combative to non-compliant," he reflected. "I see them deal with him professionally, even-keeled, cool, calm and collected temperament and unfortunately then I see things go a tragic direction."
Body cam video (Warning: Video contains graphic images and language)
Johnson added later that family members were invited to see the footage before the media and the public were able to view it but they did not respond to officials' efforts to reach out.
"The Farmington Police Department has not had contact with the family, that is an assignment that's been given through the protocol team to the Bountiful Police Department," Johnson said. "I know that they made multiple attempts to reach out to the family. Last I heard is they had not responded back."
Shortly after the shooting, family said Allan was a victim of a "brutal murder."
As five officers, equivalent to about 20% of the Farmington police force, were placed on administrative leave due to the pending investigation, Johnson expressed gratitude to surrounding departments who have helped keep operations running smoothly.
"We're doing the best we can," he said. "We're relying on the great law enforcement agencies we're surrounded by."
The footage, as well as other pieces of evidence, are under further review. Johnson did not have an estimate on when the investigation would be completed.
