What a former sheriff has to say on footage of De’Von Bailey shooting

Body camera footage released by the Colorado Springs Police Department has been watched by thousands, but no clear conclusion can be drawn until the District Attorney’s Office makes its decision on the police shooting of 19-year-old De’Von Bailey.

KRDO sat down with former Pueblo County Sheriff Dan Corsentino, who watched the video to break down what investigators might be looking for.

One of the first things he notices is the officer’s attention to the suspect’s hands. Sgt. Van’t Land asks Bailey to keep his hands out of his pockets.

Corsentino explains, “Every officer is taught, it’s the hands that can kill you.”

Moments later, Van’t Land asks both suspects to keep their hands up.

The former sheriff says, “It only takes a split-second to get to that weapon and discharge the weapon so the officer is constantly the hands.”

Corsentino added that the information officers had from the 911 call before arriving at the scene that might have had them on high alert.

In the released video by CSPD, a dispatcher tells police the suspects might have guns on them.

“Once they say the suspects are believed to be armed, you can assume, then, that they’re dangerous,” Corsentino continues, “what you’re thinking upon approach, what you’re thinking is, ‘How am I going to contain the situation so everyone stays safe?'”

Corsentino admits that even with all the video, the public still doesn’t know the whole story.

He explains, “Transparency only comes after all the information is collected and validated.”

The District Attorney’s Office has started their part of the investigation but said it will be 90-120 days before a decision is made.