Photo:  The family and community leaders are pressing for public transparency, while city officials say the shooting remains under active investigation by Wilmington police and the Delaware Department of Justice.  Photo created with AI on 7/2.

Family of Kadir Skinner, council members and demonstrators demand body camera footage as city says relatives have been offered a private viewing

WILMINGTON — Demonstrators gathered in Rodney Square and marched through downtown Wilmington this week as pressure continued to build for the release of body-worn camera footage in the fatal police shooting of 19-year-old Kadir Skinner.

The protest, held as part of the “Justice for Kadir Skinner” demonstrations, drew family members, community advocates and residents demanding transparency, accountability and a fuller public explanation of what happened late June 24 near 24th and Jessup streets.

The central issue has become the video.

Skinner’s family and several Wilmington City Council members have called for the body-worn camera footage to be released, saying it is the clearest way to answer questions about why Skinner was shot, whether he posed an immediate threat when the officer fired and how police responded after he was wounded.

Wilmington officials said Wednesday that police have offered Skinner’s family an opportunity to view the footage privately. Mayor John Carney and Police Chief Wilfredo Campos said the offer was made after a June 25 meeting between family members and Campos and “remains open for them to accept at any time they are ready.”

That statement has become a key point in the dispute. The family and community leaders are pressing for public transparency, while city officials say the shooting remains under active investigation by Wilmington police and the Delaware Department of Justice.

Protesters march downtown

Dozens of people marched through Wilmington on Tuesday, June 30, beginning at Rodney Square and ending at Wilmington police headquarters, according to NBC10 Philadelphia. Protesters called for release of the body camera footage and demanded answers nearly a week after the shooting.

A Reuters Connect photo caption from the USA TODAY Network also described community members gathering at Rodney Square before marching to the Elbert N. Carvel State Building during a “Justice for Kadir Skinner” protest organized by The Village Black Caucus.

At a Wednesday gathering outside the City/County Building, council members and residents again called for the footage to be released and for changes to police accountability policies. Delaware Public Media reported that Council President Ernest “Trippi” Congo criticized the absence of Mayor John Carney from that event and said the family and community deserve answers.

Police release new details

Wilmington police said Skinner was shot after officers responded to a large gathering near 24th and Jessup streets. According to police, an officer saw Skinner leave a nearby home with a firearm pointed toward a crowd before he ran from officers. Police said an officer pursued Skinner and fired, striking him.

In a new statement released Wednesday, July 1, police said the Delaware Division of Forensic Sciences determined Skinner sustained one gunshot wound to the upper left buttocks area. Police also said that once officers realized Skinner had been injured, an officer at the scene transported him to the hospital in a patrol vehicle in an effort to seek medical care.

Police said officers recovered a loaded .45-caliber handgun from Skinner. Police also said ballistic evidence was recovered and turned over for forensic analysis.

The officer who fired the shot remains on administrative leave.

Family disputes account

Skinner’s family has strongly disputed the police account and questioned why lethal force was used if Skinner was running away.

Family members have said Skinner was shot from behind and have demanded a full explanation of what happened before, during and after the shooting. They also have questioned why he was transported to the hospital in a police vehicle instead of by ambulance.

Several witnesses and neighbors have challenged parts of the police account, including whether Skinner was armed. Those claims have not been confirmed by investigators.

Council members press for reform

Congo said the community is demanding clarity about what happened and confidence that the investigation will be independent and complete.

“The family deserves answers. The community deserves transparency. This investigation must be thorough and independent,” Congo said, according to 6abc.

Council Member Coby Owens also called for the body-worn camera footage to be released, saying the city must stand with the family and community in the search for answers.

Other council members have used the case to call for broader police reform, including changes to police accountability rules and stronger public access to information after police use-of-force incidents.

Investigations continue

Carney and Campos have asked the public for patience while investigators review the shooting. They also urged anyone with video or information about the incident to provide it to investigators.

The Wilmington Police Department and the Delaware Department of Justice are conducting investigations. The Delaware Department of Justice Division of Civil Rights and Public Trust is also reviewing the shooting, according to officials.

The unresolved questions remain significant: what the body-worn camera footage shows, whether and when it will be released publicly, whether Skinner had a firearm at the moment force was used, whether the shooting complied with law and department policy, and why police transported him to the hospital instead of waiting for an ambulance.

To Go Box

• What happened: Kadir Skinner, 19, was fatally shot by a Wilmington police officer late June 24 near 24th and Jessup streets.
• Latest development: Demonstrators gathered in Rodney Square and marched through downtown Wilmington as part of “Justice for Kadir Skinner” actions demanding body camera footage, transparency and accountability.
• Key dispute: Skinner’s family wants the body-worn camera footage released. Wilmington officials say police have offered the family a private viewing and that the offer remains open.
• What police say: Police say Skinner pointed a gun toward a crowd, ran from officers and was shot once during the pursuit. Police say a loaded .45-caliber handgun was recovered.
• What the family says: Skinner’s family disputes the police account and questions why he was shot while allegedly running away.
• Who is investigating: Wilmington police and the Delaware Department of Justice are conducting reviews. The officer is on administrative leave.
• How to help: Anyone with information or video from the incident is being asked to contact investigators.

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