Councilwoman Zeneta B. Everhart Issues Statement on Body Camera Footage of BPD Shooting

Masten District Council Woman Zeneta B. Everhart

Buffalo, N.Y. - Masten District Council Woman Zeneta B. Everhart has issued a statement on the release of body camera footage from a stabbing and police-involved shooting incident on Donovan Drive last September:

The body cam video of the stabbing and Buffalo Police Department shooting on Donovan Drive last September is deeply disturbing. I’m extremely grateful that no one lost their life in this horrible incident, that no BPD officers were injured, and that the victim who suffered a serious stabbing injury has recovered. While no one wants to see a citizen shot by our law enforcement, the video clearly confirms the account provided by prosecutors and shows the shooting was tragic but justified. BPD officers ordered the suspect to drop her weapon, used pepper spray in an effort to minimize harm, and discharged their weapon when pepper spray failed to stop this potentially fatal attack, then immediately rendered first aid to both the victim and the suspect. I thank members of the police department for their swift and professional response to this terrible incident, which prevented any loss of life in our city.

Now that we’ve learned the facts, it’s important that we deploy resources to that community to deal with the traumas that residents experienced and witnessed. We cannot have incidents like this happening in the community without following up with mental health resources.”

Released footage from the Buffalo Police can be found here. Viewer discretion advised, graphic images and strong language.