Devon Gregory: Jacksonville police say teen in police-involved shooting suffered from self-inflicted gunshot wound

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Newly released police body camera video shows the police shooting of Devon Gregory, 18, on San Juan Avenue on Tuesday night.

By Action News Jax records, it’s one of the soonest releases of body camera video from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO) to date.

JSO issued a statement Thursday evening explaining the video’s release within 48 hours.

“This case continues to be investigated, however, we are proactively releasing the body-worn camera footage of the police-involved shooting as a result of the Medical Examiner advising that the suspect suffered from a self-inflicted gunshot wound,” said JSO.

Whether the self-inflicted gunshot wound Gregory suffered was fatal remains under investigation, police tell Action News Jax.

The beginning of the video shows the traffic stop, with Gregory and two of his family members inside the car.

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About three minutes into the video, police ask the driver to step out of the car, after officers say they smell marijuana inside.

Nearly four and a half minutes into the video, Gregory is seen in the front right seat of the car. He then appears to reach for something underneath him.

“Don’t reach under there! Hey! Stop f*****g reaching,” an officer is heard shouting.

“I’m grabbing my phone! I’m grabbing my phone,” Gregory says in reply.

In a news briefing after the shooting, police said a gun was recovered from the car. On Wednesday, police released a picture of the handgun they said was in Gregory’s possession.

JSO also said Gregory became agitated during the traffic stop, and officers talked to him for several minutes before shots were fired.

Intense exchanges can be heard in the footage.

“Shoot me then! Shoot me!” Gregory said.

“We do not want to shoot you,” the officer said in reply.

The video runs just over 19 minutes long. About 14 minutes of the video show police trying to get Gregory to show his hands. Officers can be seen with their guns drawn.

“Slowly, reach towards the ceiling!” an officer shouted.

In those moments, Gregory can be heard saying he loves his family.

“Tell my Mama I love her too! Hey, tell my mama I love her bro!” Gregory shouted to the relative who had been removed from the car.

As officers pleaded with Gregory to comply, they tell him he will be able to see his family.

“I get to see my loved ones, right?” asked Gregory.

“Just come out with nothing in your hands,” said an officer.

“I get to see my loved ones?” asked Gregory.

“Yes!” said an officer.

“I do?” asked Gregory.

“Yes!” said an officer.

“I do?” asked Gregory.

“Yes!” said an officer.

“Tell me why I don’t believe y’all,” Gregory said.

“We don’t want to hurt you man,” said an officer.

The video shows officers removing a second person from the car prior to shots being fired.

In the final moments of the footage, Gregory is heard shouting for officers to leave him.

Moments after, what sounds like a gunshot can be heard, as Gregory’s head and body begin to move backward.

Officers then begin firing their guns. Shots ring out for about four seconds.

Four officers remain on leave, which is standard protocol.

It should be noted, Action News Jax received video from one officer’s body camera.

Read the full statement below:

“This case continues to be investigated, however, we are proactively releasing the body worn camera footage of the police involved shooting as a result of the Medical Examiner advising that the suspect suffered from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.”

Cox Media Group