The Gates Police Department has released body-worn camera footage from the police shooting that killed 27-year-old Haley Rodriguez on Oct. 4. Police said Rodriguez pointed a replica revolver at an officer before he fired.
Here's what to know about the shooting, the newly released footage and the two ongoing investigations.
Body camera footage released as investigations continue
The body-worn camera footage from the Oct. 4 incident shows an officer getting out of his patrol car to speak with Rodriguez, who was standing in the middle of the road.
Rodriguez appears to be holding two objects. Gates Police Chief Robert Long said investigators later determined that one was a beer and the other was a replica revolver.
In the footage, the officer, who has not been publicly identified, asks Rodriguez what she
is holding and tells her to put it down.
“Don't do it. Put it down, all right? Please, let's just talk, all right?” the officer says before Rodriguez appears to raise one hand. The officer then fires five shots.
Long said it was dark outside and the officer had no way of knowing the gun was a replica rather than a real firearm.
“I know if he could've known that this was not real, maybe he would make a different decision, but you're not going to have that ability at that time; you're not going to be able to see that,” Long said at a news conference Friday.
The Monroe County Sheriff's Office and the New York State Attorney General's Office are conducting separate investigations into the shooting, Long said. He added that he did not believe the officer had committed a crime.
“This is a tragic event. This is a tragic incident,” Long said. “There are no words. I feel bad for the family; I feel bad they had to go through this.”
Long said Rodriguez was someone's daughter, sister, aunt and cousin, and that the shooting had affected her family and friends. He also said the officer was struggling with the incident.
“The officer is going through a lot as well, and this is not something we sign up for to do this job,” Long said.
The officer has not yet returned to work, Long said.
What happened in the Gates police shooting?
At about 1 a.m. Oct. 4, an officer on routine patrol saw a woman standing in the middle of the road near Spencerport Road and stopped to speak with her, Long said.
The footage shows the officer asking Rodriguez to put down the objects in her hands. Rodriguez does not appear to respond before raising one arm, which appeared to the officer to be holding a gun, Long said. The officer then fires five shots.
Rodriguez was taken to Strong Memorial Hospital, where she died from her injuries.
Long said the autopsy and ongoing investigation are expected to help determine how many times Rodriguez was struck. Toxicology testing also will show whether she had any substances in her system.
Investigators have not determined why Rodriguez was standing in the road with the replica revolver that night, Long said.
Warning video may contain graphic images
Viewer discretion is advised: The footage contains graphic and disturbing content, including the fatal shooting of a woman by police.
Watch the video here.
Contributing: Democrat and Chronicle reporter Kayla Canne
—Madison Scott is a New York Connect reporter, covering entertainment, breaking and consumer news, and trending topics with a focus on stories that matter to readers across New York state. She also has an interest in how the system helps or doesn't helpfamilies with missing loved ones. She can be reached at MDScott@USATodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Gates police release body cam video of fatal shooting
