Footage streamed on Facebook Live shows Tennessee police fatally shooting Rodney James Hess, who authorities said tried to hit officers with his vehicle. Hess recorded the shooting on Facebook Live.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said Hess, 36, parked his vehicle on Highway 412 East off-ramp at around 2:15 P.M. on Thursday, March 16, was acting erratically and “attempted to use his vehicle to strike the officers at least twice.”
At least one Crockett County sheriff’s officer fired through the windshield, striking Hess. He was airlifted to a hospital and later died.
Via NBC:
“I need the higher commands to come out,” Hess tells an officer in the video, before making some kind of movement. Gunshots are heard, and Hess is heard screaming in pain while driving and appearing to crash the vehicle. The video does not capture exactly what happened at the moment shots were fired.
A cousin confirmed to NBC News that the video was taken by Hess. The TBI, which is investigating the shooting, is aware of the video.
“Though we are aware such a video exists, we cannot confirm its authenticity. As with anything that might potentially be evidence, we will examine it to determine if it has probative benefit,” Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Public Information Officer Josh DeVine said.
Hess published two videos on Facebook Live. The first, which is more than 17 minutes long, shows Hess acting erratically:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5t2GA7hixLw
The second is when the shooting occurs:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBmKWwyUE18&feature=youtu.be
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation will pass their investigation findings to 28th District Attorney General Garry Brown, who will decide whether to send the case to a grand jury.
What Happened?
Footage streamed on Facebook Live shows Tennessee police fatally shooting Rodney James Hess, who authorities said tried to hit officers with his vehicle. Hess recorded the shooting on Facebook Live.
Who Is Rodney Hess?
Hess, 36, was a father who suffered from mental illness, but according to family members, was a functioning member of society.
