The Buffalo Police Department has released body cam footage from a routine traffic stop that quickly escalated and resulted in a tragic outcome. The video, captured by officers Ronald Ammerman and Jonathan Crawford, shows the moment when Ammerman fatally shot 25-year-old Daveon Roberts. Both officers have been placed on mandatory administrative leave pending further investigation.
During a news conference on Thursday afternoon, Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia stated that he believes the use of force was justified. "Reviewing the video, going through the evidence that we have, I do believe that is a justified use of force that occurred the other night," he said. "When you take into account the fact that the officer found himself in a grave risk of serious physical injury or death, the use of that level of force is justified, in this case."
The incident took place along Kensington Avenue near Poultney Avenue just after midnight when a car was spotted off the road. According to Gramaglia, the two officers pulled Roberts over for allegedly speeding and having tinted windows. Upon approaching the vehicle, the officers noticed a 6-year-old child in the front seat without a seatbelt and requested identification from the driver.
Roberts. Roberts reportedly informed the officers that he did not possess a driver's license or photo ID. He then showed one of the officers a picture of a Georgia ID on his phone, but the officers were unable to verify its authenticity. The officers proceeded to ask Roberts to step out of the vehicle, but instead, he accelerated and drove off with one of the officers still holding onto the open car door.
In the body cam video, the officer can be heard pleading with Roberts to stop, desperately exclaiming, "You're going to kill me, you're going to kill me." The vehicle reportedly reached speeds as high as 60 mph while the officer clung onto the door.
Commissioner Gramaglia defended the actions of his officer, stating that he chose to hold onto the car door rather than letting go when the vehicle began to drive away. "
The car accelerated at such a rapid speed," Gramaglia explained. "I believe — and this is just my opinion — I believe that he found himself going at such a fast speed that if you let go, you're potentially looking at very serious physical injury or death."
The incident is currently under investigation and the Buffalo Police Department will provide updates as more information becomes available.