MEMPHIS, Tenn — Shelby County District Attorney General Steve Mulroy's Office released video Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023, of the shooting in December 2022 by a Memphis Police Officer that left Jaylin McKenzie dead.
The D.A. said the three redacted videos are from in-car camera of a police patrol car and body-worn cameras from two additional officers. The D.A.'s office said McKenzie’s family has viewed the footage.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said just before midnight on Dec. 16, 2023, MPD made a traffic stop on American Way and the driver took off and ended up in a grassy area off Cochese Ave. The TBI said at least three people took off running. The TBI said an MPD officer and McKenzie exchanged gunfire, and McKenzie was killed.
Viewer discretion is advised.
The videos are available as follows:
A summary of the video from the D.A.'s office said, "The three redacted video footages are from the in-car camera of the patrol car driven by Officer Dorme; Officer Jackson’s body-worn camera; and Officer Cook’s body-worn camera. Viewer caution is advised. The in-car camera footage has no sound. The events depicted begin shortly before midnight on December 16, 2022. MPD Officers Dorme and Jackson are in their two-man cruiser and a 2008 Infiniti is seen in the parking lot of several businesses. As the patrol car approaches, the driver of the Infiniti pulls off the lot, runs the red light a few yards from the exit drive, and drives down American Way. The officers pursue with blue lights activated. The Infiniti makes a hard left turn over the curb onto a grassy area and stops. A foot pursuit ensues with the officers running behind Mr. McKenzie across Cherry Road and onto Cochise. One hears multiple shots fired off-camera. The handgun fired by Mr. McKenzie is recovered alongside the body of Mr. McKenzie. Officer Dorme’s BWC was not activated during the pursuits or at the time of the shooting."
“Any death is tragic; incidents like this are difficult for all involved,” said Mulroy. “Our office is committed to transparency in these cases, which means prompt release of video so the public can view it for themselves.”
The D.A. said they cannot comment beyond the release due to the ongoing TBI's investigation. Once that is complete, the D.A.'s Justice Review Unit will review the findings.
In a statement following the video release, Memphis Police said an administrative investigation was completed by MPD for policy violations, and administrative charges and disciplinary actions were issued for body camera violations and pursuit notification requirements. The statement did not go into what the disciplinary actions were.
In August, McKenzie's mother held a news conference in Memphis demanding the TBI and MPD name the responding officers involved and to see her son's complete autopsy report. McKenzie’s mother said her son was visiting Memphis from Atlanta at the time of his death.