US News
Attorney says body camera video shows Memphis shooting by federal agent was unjustified
Footage viewed by the family of Jonah Neal shows he did not pose an imminent threat before an agent opened fire during a mental health call, according to his lawyer.
The short version
- An attorney representing the family of 25-year-old Jonah Neal stated that body camera footage shows a Homeland Security Investigations agent was unjustified in shooting him in late May.
- Neal was experiencing a mental health crisis inside his home when federal agents assigned to a local crime-fighting task force responded.
- State investigators and prosecutors have not released the video or commented on the details of the ongoing investigation.
Key facts
- Jonah Neal was shot inside his residence in late May after his mother dialed 911 regarding a mental health crisis.[NPR]
- The agent who shot Neal worked for Homeland Security Investigations as part of a joint federal crime-fighting task force deployed to Memphis.[NPR]
- According to family attorney Andre Wharton, body camera footage shows Neal was at a significant distance from agents and holding a knife rather than a firearm when shot.[NPR]
- The Memphis task force has been involved in shootings of five individuals since its launch, four of which were fatal.[NPR]
What remains uncertain
- The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and local prosecutors have not verified the attorney's description of the video, released the footage, or identified the shooting agent.[NPR]