The dramatic video released last week shows a chaotic scene unfolding on Church Avenue in East Flatbush, Brooklyn, in the early morning of May 12.

Christin Emile, seemingly trying to run from police as he veers in and out of the street, is first tased, then shot and killed by officers, the video shows.

What You Need To Know

  • Christin Emile, 33, was shot and killed by NYPD officers in East Flatbush, Brooklyn, on May 12

  • Newly released video footage shows Emile was running away from officers when they shot him

  • Family members, advocates and elected officials rallied outside City Hall Monday to call for the officers to be fired and criminally charged

According to an attorney for the family, an autopsy showed the 33-year-old was shot six times, all from behind, including once in the back of the head.

“The NYPD immediately peddled the narrative that it was Christin who posed a danger to his community,” MK Kaishian, an attorney for the family, said. “The [attorney general’s] partial release of security footage makes it clear that the people who posed a danger to the community in Flatbush were the officers who approached and shot Christin in the back.”

The NYPD has taken a different view of events. At a news briefing just a few hours after the shooting, police officials highlighted the fact that Emile was armed when officers encountered him.

“As they approached the intersection of 52nd Street, they observed a male pointing a gun at another male,” Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey said.

That sequence of events is not clearly visible on the police body camera footage or surveillance video released last week by the state attorney general’s office. However, the video shows Emile appearing to hold a gun as he runs from officers.

According to the NYPD, officers demanded he drop the weapon, and initially used a taser on Emile.

But during a rally outside of City Hall Monday, family members, advocates and elected officials said officers were in the wrong and took Emile’s life without justification.

“Shooting people in the back?” Public Advocate Jumaane Williams said. “Why was Christin shot in the back when he posed no threat to someone?”

“To the NYPD: You have destroyed a family,” Brooklyn state Sen. Jabari Brisport said. “You have ripped a hole in Brooklyn, in that community. He had touched so many people. The people standing here today are just the tip.”

Family members took turns telling stories about Emile, a father of four who had just thrown his daughter her fifth birthday party earlier that night.

“For them, for Christin and for my family, we want justice,” Makaila “Kay Kay” Campbell, Emile’s cousin, said.

Family members are calling for the officers to be fired and charged.

The incident is currently being investigated by the attorney general and internally by the NYPD.