The San Diego Police Department (SDPD) has released bodycam footage that shows an officer shooting a teenager, who later died from his injuries.
The SDPD released the bodycam footage, paired with additional footage from nearby security cameras, in a Facebook video post on Friday, Feb. 21, with a warning to viewers that read, “The videos contain graphic images and language. Viewer discretion is advised.”
“The San Diego Police Department is committed to being open and transparent with the public,” the caption added. “The following video is of a critical incident regarding an officer-involved [Jan. 28] shooting.”
Police Chief Scott Wahl addressed the incident in a statement obtained by The San Diego Union-Tribune, saying, “While it’s never easy to watch this kind of footage, our department remains committed to transparency and ensuring a fair, thorough, independent investigation.”
The victim — who was later identified as 16-year-old Konoa Wilson, per CBS 8 — was reportedly shot by Officer Daniel Gold, a two-year veteran of the department, near a train station in the downtown area, police said.
Wilson received medical attention on the scene and was then transported to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead, per authorities.
Train station security footage from the evening, released by the SDPD, shows Wilson approaching two people by the station’s outdoor tracks at about 8:50 p.m. local time. One of the other people takes out a gun, prompting Wilson to run in the other direction. Shots were then fired, but none hit Wilson.
Moments later, bodycam footage from Officer Gold shows Wilson running out of the station toward an intersection, before Gold fires at Wilson, announcing, “San Diego Police.”
The department said a firearm was discovered on Wilson under his clothing in his “right thigh area” once he had been shot and was receiving medical treatment, per the Facebook video and police.
The SDPD was already at the station in response to an unrelated incident, police said.
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The San Diego Sheriff’s Office is investigating the incident as the SDPD cannot investigate lethal uses of force within its own department in order to prevent conflicts of interest, NBC affiliate San Diego 7 reported.
The SDPD did not respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment on Feb. 22.
A candlelight vigil was held for Wilson — who was a student at Bayside Community School — on Feb. 21.
There, loved ones said they wanted the teen to be remembered for his “joy” and “kindness,” adding that Wilson had a deep love for the ocean and had his “whole life ahead of him,” per Fox 5 San Diego.
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