ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Family members and protesters Friday marched through Florida Mall and down Orange Blossom Trail, demanding to see the body camera video of the shooting of Salaythis Melvin by an Orange County Sheriff’s deputy.
Melvin, 22, died about a week ago.
What You Need To Know
- Salaythis Melvin died after being shot near Florida Mall last week
- The FDLE is investigating the shooting by a sheriff's deputy
- Activists don't like the timing of the body cam video release
Deputies were searching for a wanted individual when Melvin was shot. The sheriff's office later clarified that Melvin was not the individual they were searching for. That wanted man has since been arrested.
Court records indicate Melvin was running while holding a gun in his waistband. Orange County Sheriff’s deputy James Montiel then told Melvin to drop his weapon and, according to an affidavit, Melvin turned his head to face Montiel while still holding the firearm. The affidavit said Montiel believed Melvin was going to start shooting and Montiel fired his gun, hitting Melvin in the back.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Department indicated Friday that it plans to release the body camera video when the Florida Department of Law Enforcement finishes investigating.
Community activists said the timing of that decision is suspicious, however.
“I think that this is something that should’ve been announced,” community activist Miles Mulrain Jr. said. "I think this being announced four days before the election makes it not genuine.”
Lawyers for Melvin’s family said they expect to see the video next week when the initial investigation is complete.