Nearly three months after Fort Worth police fatally shot a local rap artist, the man’s family and attorneys are demanding the release of unedited body camera footage, saying the department has not given a full account of what happened the night he died.
Emmitt Elijah Mayo, 25, known by his stage name 88dub, was a father who friends and family describe as a rising talent in the local music scene. He was killed by Fort Worth police on May 16 on Wiman Drive.
“I have to wake up every day with this on my heart. And it weighs me down,” his father, Emmitt Mayo, said.
Brien Hall, who managed the younger Mayo’s music career, said he had a bright future in the industry.
“He was a superstar. A rap superstar,” Hall said.
According to friends, Mayo was scheduled to perform at a house party near Wiman Drive, close to Eastland Street and Miller Avenue. A shooting in the area shut down the party before he could perform.
A street over, witnesses said Mayo got into an argument over payment for a performance he had not given. A friend who was with him at the time said that Mayo began shooting during the dispute and was running away when officers arrived.
Body camera audio captured an officer shouting, “Drop the gun,” before shots were fired.
Fort Worth police released edited body camera footage days after the shooting. Officials said the footage shows Mayo pointing a gun in the direction of officers. Police Chief Eddie Garcia said Mayo was a “validated gang member.”
Police said they recovered a gun on the sidewalk equipped with what officials described as an illegal Glock switch, a device that converts a semi-automatic pistol to fire fully automatically. The elder Mayo acknowledged his son carried a gun but said it was for protection.
“Stop painting a picture because he had a gun. Everyone I know have a gun. This is Texas,” Mayo said.
Family members said Mayo was shot nine times. They contend officers did not give him enough time to comply with commands before opening fire.
“He overreacted. He didn’t give my son a chance. All of y’all have seen it,” said Mayo.
Attorney Torrence Burnett, who is representing the family, said the footage released so far leaves out crucial context.
“Fort Worth Police Department, give us the missing pages. Every great story, even a bad story, has a beginning, middle and an end,” Burnett said.
Attorneys, friends and relatives gathered Thursday to call for the release of the full, unedited body camera footage and an independent investigation. One speaker said the family deserves “a complete, impartial and transparent investigation.”
The family has also requested a meeting with Garcia.
“If the evidence shows they were in the right, then I believe that everybody here could live with that, but we can’t live with the hiding and the lack of transparency,” one speaker said.
Attorneys representing the family said they are willing to pursue legal action if the department does not agree to meet with them. A Fort Worth police spokesperson told reporters the department does not plan to release additional details on the investigation at this time.
The shooting remains under investigation.