LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Over a week after his death, 30-year-old Bradley Blackshire's family attorney has requested that Arkansas State Police take over the investigation and footage of the incident be released to the public.
Blackshire was shot and killed by a Little Rock police officer during a traffic stop at the intersection of 12th Street and Rodney Parham on Feb. 22.
Authorities say Officer Charles Starks stopped Blackshire in a parking lot there as he drove a car that was reported stolen.
Police say Blackshire initially pulled over, but disobeyed Starks' orders to get out of the car and instead drove forward, hitting the officer, who fired his weapon and shot Blackshire. Blackshire died on the scene.
Now, his family's attorney, Omavi Shukur from Loevy & Loevy of Chigaco, said their investigation indicates that Blackshire's death was murder and an "unacceptable and unnecessary use of deadly force."
The details of the law firm's investigation and findings has not been released.
Shukur claims that Blackshire legally backed into a parking space when Officer Starks pulled in front of the car and immediately drew his weapon.
Shukur said that they do believe the car moved, but it was slowly and never knocked Starks off of his feet, though the fender did make contact with his left thigh. Shukur said Starks stepped in front of the car and repeatedly shot Blackshire, the Starks "briefly rode on the hood of the car" before it came to a stop again.
According to Shukur, the car then rolled down the lot before coming to a stop. Shukur said that Starks fired into the car again while it remained motionless for more than 10 seconds. From there, Shukur said it rolled to a final spot where Blackshire's body was removed, "riddled with bullets."
"This was not a scared police officer," Shukur said. "This was a predator who stepped in front and killed his prey."
Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott has promised transparency as this case is being investigated, including a promise of footage of the event. A video statement by acting LRPD chief Wayne Bewley said the department planned to release dashcam video once their two-pronged investigation had been completed.
Shukur wants the Arkansas State Police to take over the investigation. That agency will only step in if requested by the department or the prosecuting attorney.
The Little Rock Fraternal Order of Police has announced their support for Officer Starks. In a statement, they said Starks received injuries from the incident and was treated for at a local hospital.
Since the incident, Officer Starks has been relieved of duty.
This investigation is ongoing.