Austin officials are “disturbed” by a video that shows an unarmed Hispanic man fatally shot by police while he attempted to flee in his car.
The incident occurred on Friday in Austin, Texas.
In cell phone video of the incident, Mike Ramos, 42, is seen standing next to a white car with his hands up while surrounded by armed police officers. Ramos refused an officer’s order to walk towards them. “I don’t got no f*cking gun, dawg,” Ramos said.
Ramos jumped into the car when an officer fired a bean bag at him. Other officers opened fire when Ramos attempted to drive away. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Austin Mayor Steve Adler was disturbed by what he saw in the video.
“Mike Ramos does not appear to threaten but ends up dead,” said Adler. “There’s got to be a better way. I’m very disturbed.”
He continued: “The use of force is the most potent and irreversible of a police officer’s tools and requires trust between officers and the communities they protect.”
Adler said the incident would be investigated transparently and information made available to the public.
A Hispanic community group called for Austin Police Chief Brian Manley’s resignation.
