The Baltimore Police Department today released footage of the moments before and after officers fatally shot 24-year-old John Feggins on Oct. 30. Security footage from a nearby Rite Aid pharmacy shows Feggins and Officer Ryan Glass tussling on the ground as they fight for control of a handgun.
Police paused the video at a moment when it appears Feggins had the firearm in his hand and pointed it in the general direction of York Road, as Glass tried to regain control. Shortly after, another officer, Joel Hawk, arrived at the scene and joined the scuffle.
Feggins was shot during the struggle and later died. One officer lost a tooth, and the other suffered scrapes and bruises.
Police also released body-worn camera footage from officers Glass and Hawk, neither of which depicts the shooting. Deputy Commissioner Brian Nadeau of the Public Integrity Bureau said Glass’ camera was cut off after Feggins lunged at him and they went to the ground, and that Hawk did not turn his on until after the shooting because he was “rushing to come to the aid of his fellow officer.”
The video from Hawk shortly after the shooting shows two guns on the ground, one of which belonged to Feggins, Nadeau said.
Using all three angles, the BPD created a composite video of the incident. Watch it below.
The footage shows Glass’ initial stop of Feggins. Officers in the Northern District had been told by the Regional Auto-Theft Task Force to look out for a 2012 Chevy Impala, which detectives believed was used during an armed robbery at the Horseshoe Casino garage on Oct. 9.
Glass spotted the vehicle in the parking lot of the Rite Aid in the 6300 block of York Road and pulled his car behind it. He knocked on the glass and asked Feggins for his license.
“What’s wrong, buddy?” Feggins asked.
Glass asked Feggins to turn the car off and produce his license, then he ordered him to step out of the car. Feggins complied.
“You got anything on you I need to know about?” Glass asked.
“Nah.”
Glass grabbed Feggins by his left wrist as he held his phone, trying to get him to turn around.
“Hold up, buddy!” Feggins said.
“Whoa, whoa, whoa,” Glass responded. “You’re not under arrest, I’m just searching you for weapons.”
“I don’t have any weapons, buddy,” Feggins said. “I’m getting my license, buddy.”
Glass turned him around and searched him.
“What’s going on?” he asked. “You don’t why I’m here?”
“No!” Feggins replied, and asked the reason for the stop.
“You know, I would like to know the same thing,” Glass said. “I was actually told to stop you.”
“Why?”
“I’m gonna get right to it in a minute.”
Glass got out his handcuffs, and Feggins asked, “Why are you putting the cuffs on me?! I would like to talk to the boss, though, buddy.”
The officer ordered him back in the car. Feggins moved forward, saying he was going to sit on the curb. But Glass grabbed him by the waist and said: “No, no, no. I don’t want you on the curb. Have a seat in the car.”
Glass radioed in and learned detectives were searching for Feggins, and that he would have to be transported to the Southern.
“I’m wanted?” Feggins asked. “For what, though?”
He abruptly stood up, and Glass grabbed him by the arm.
“Alright, I’m getting up for you, buddy” Feggins said, and sat back down.
“You’re moving too much for me, man,” Glass said.
Roughly six seconds later, as Glass tried to handcuff Feggins, Feggins said “Nah buddy” and stood up. It appears as though his elbow connects with Glass’ camera before it cuts off.
Footage from the Rite Aid shows Hawk pulling up just as Glass and Feggins are on the grounds, a full parking space away from the Impala, struggling for a gun. Hawk runs over to help subdue Feggins. Everything that happens after that is off-camera, with only the legs of the officers appearing in view. All three are on the ground for roughly 30 seconds before both officers stand up.
Three shell casings were recovered from the scene, Nadeau said. Both officers fired their guns, he said, and “how they were fired is what we’re deliberating on.”
Officers Glass and Hawk remain on administrative leave as both the BPD’s Special Investigation Response Team and the homicide division of the State’s Attorney’s Office continue to investigate. Neither has been interviewed yet, which Nadeau said won’t happen until they return from leave.
Nadeau said detectives are still investigating the casino robbery.
While Feggins has a Philadelphia address, police have learned he also lived in Rosedale, Nadeau said. Police are also investigating where he was living.
