Joseph Mann shooting video prompts promise of police reforms

  • 7 years ago
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA — Controversial video footage from the police shooting of Joseph Mann in Sacramento, California, was just released prompting reform of the Sacramento Police Department.

Following the release, in a closed meeting City Council members reviewed the footage. In the public portion of the meeting, Mayor Kevin Johnson promised to propose a set of police oversight reforms in coming days.

On the morning of July 11, police responded to several calls about a man acting erratically and carrying a knife and gun. When police arrived on the scene, they saw 50-year-old Joseph Mann carrying a knife with a four-inch blade and wandering the streets.

While difficult to tell what Mann was carrying or not carrying in surveillance and dash cam videos, it was clear that Mann wasn’t acting normal. Police confronted him multiple times, and each time Mann walked away.

According to police, Mann became irate and began throwing things at officers. He was last seen running through a vacant lot and across the street near Del Paso Boulevard. It was there that two officers on foot caught up with Mann and discharged their weapons.

Mann was shot 14 times and died at the scene.

Following the incident, Mann’s family came forward explaining that he was mentally ill.

The decision to release the files came after a conversation between Sacramento police Chief Sam Somers Jr., City Manager John Shirey and the mayor.

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