By: Vincent Martorano
AUSTIN, Texas — Newly released surveillance video from the Austin Police Department shows the moments leading up to the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Anthoneil Williams II last Friday, as investigators now say the object officers believed was a gun was actually a water bottle and that the 911 call came from the teen’s own phone.
Police said they believe the video shows Williams reaching for his waistband and pointing his hands at officers. Investigators have also said the incident may have been “suicide by police,” while some city leaders have called for transparency.
The video shows Williams walking into a park around 4 a.m. and sitting on a low wall for several minutes. When officers arrive, Williams walks toward the playground, according to police.
APD said officers asked Williams if he was OK and repeatedly told him to show his hands. In slowed-down video, police said Williams appears to lift his shirt, reach toward his waistband, then extend both hands in front of him as if he was pointing a weapon at officers. That is when three officers opened fire.
Nelson Linder, president of the Austin NAACP, said the video does not change his view of the outcome.
“I’m sorry, I can’t accept that based on the value of a young man’s life. We need a higher standard; more caution before you make that kind of decision based on deadly force,” Linder said.
Several Austin City Council members issued statements over the weekend expressing grief over Williams’ death and pressing for a full accounting of what happened.
The Austin Justice Coalition is holding an event at City Hall tomorrow calling for justice for Williams.
The three officers involved remain on paid administrative leave, per department protocol.
