20s Korean American Shot and Killed by US Police, Bodycam Footage Released

Forced Entry Through Front Door Followed by Immediate Shooting
Unclear Whether Victim Was Armed with a Weapon

A Korean American woman in New Jersey, USA, was fatally shot by police, and body cam footage capturing the incident has been released.

In the early morning of the 28th of last month, Fort Lee police were about to enter Victoria Lee's apartment in Fort Lee, New Jersey. The New Jersey State Prosecutor's Office released footage filmed by the police amid controversy over excessive response. [Image source = New Jersey, USA]

On the 16th (local time), Matthew Platkin, Attorney General of New Jersey, released four videos taken from different angles along with the recording of the initial 911 call. The footage shows police entering the home of Victoria Lee (26) in Fort Lee, New Jersey, in the early hours of the 28th of last month. CNN pointed out that "the four videos do not show whether Lee was holding a knife when she was shot." The footage includes a scene where, after a gunshot, one officer shouted, "Where is the knife?" and another responded, "Here," but it is not clear whether Lee was holding a knife when the police opened the door, leaving controversy over excessive force unresolved.

Earlier, Lee’s brother had called 911, reporting, "My sister is experiencing mental health issues; please take her to the hospital," and the operator responded, "An ambulance and police officers will be dispatched." The brother said, "Only an ambulance is needed," but the operator explained, "For mental health-related calls, police must accompany medical personnel for safety."

After the initial call, the brother called again to request cancellation of the dispatch, but the operator replied, "Mental health-related calls cannot be canceled." He added, "My sister has a small knife, but she is not threatening anyone with it. It is a foldable knife, and she is just holding it." It is presumed he was concerned about police overreaction.

In the early morning of the 28th of last month, shortly after the Fort Lee police shot Victoria Lee at an apartment in Fort Lee, New Jersey. [Image source = Fort Lee, New Jersey, USA]

At 1:25 a.m., Tony Pickens Jr. from the Fort Lee Police Department was the first to arrive at the scene. Inside the house, Lee was with her mother. Lee shouted, "Close the door," and the door was soon shut. At least four more officers arrived afterward. Pickens loudly said, "I will break the door down. Open the door," but Lee responded, "Go ahead. I will stab you."

When Lee said, "If you want to shoot, shoot," the police replied, "We don’t want to shoot you. We want to talk to you." As Pickens forced the door open with his body, Lee was holding a 19L (5-gallon) water bottle. The police shouted, "Drop the knife," and fired one shot. Lee was hit in the chest, groaned, and collapsed. The police pulled Lee outside, administered first aid, and transported her to the hospital, but she was pronounced dead at 1:58 a.m. The family claims the knife was found about 2 meters (7 feet) away from the apartment entrance door.

The New Jersey Prosecutor’s Office is investigating the case under state law, which requires investigation when a death occurs due to the use of public authority at the scene. Locally, there are calls to improve police response protocols when dealing with individuals experiencing mental health crises.