Crime & Safety

[VIDEO] White Plains Police Release Chamberlain Taser Footage

Grainy videos show police pleading with Kenneth Chamberlain Sr. to open his door and put down a knife.

Update 5:45 p.m. Friday:

The U.S. Attorney has released a statement in response to the call for its office to review the Chamberlain case:

“Consistent with our Office’s practices in cases of this kind, we will review all of the available evidence with respect to the death of Kenneth Chamberlain, including the evidence collected during the state’s investigation, to determine whether there were any violations of the federal criminal civil rights laws,” said Ellen Davis, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York.

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Original story:

White Plains Police released documents Friday, as well as audio and video footage taken the night they fatally shot Kenneth Chamberlain Sr. in his apartment on Nov. 19. This was one day after a grand jury declined to indict any city officer involved in the case.

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The three video clips taken from a police Taser gun are very grainy and with unclear audio, but they show police trying to force a poll-like object through to pry Chamberlain’s door open. Police were responding to a Life Station Medical Alert made by Chamberlain’s medical alert device.

The lawyers for the Chamberlain family, who plan on bringing the case to the U.S. District Attorney and U.S. Attorney General, said Life Station Medical Alert canceled the call, but police insisted on forcing their way into Chamberlain’s apartment against his will—causing him to become upset and the confrontation, which lead to his death.

Police said Chamberlain was mentally disturbed and tried to attack police with a knife and cleaver, while lawyers said that Chamberlain was unarmed.

Here’s what we can tell happened from watching the videos:

The 68-year-old former Marine and correctional officer, whose autopsy shows that he was legally drunk at the time, is shown repeatedly telling police that is he fine and does not need medical assistance and to leave him alone.

“We can’t leave without checking on you,” said a police officer in the video.

The officer repeatedly tells Chamberlain that they have to see him, and to “put down the knife.”

Chamberlain repeatedly tells police to leave and “don’t do it” as they try to enter.

“I’m OK, I’m fine,” he tells police.

“Yeah, but I’m not a doctor,” responds the officer.

Chamberlain asks the police why they are there, and they tell him it's because he pressed his medical alert button. The medical alert system operator can be heard in the background talking to Chamberlin who said, “They are standing here with guns on me. They have a shotgun and a 9 mm glock. They are getting ready to kill me.”

“I’m here to help you, but I can’t help you until you put the knife down,” said the police. 

Chamberlain keeps telling police to leave his door alone, and saying, “come on, come,” as they keep trying.

“Open the door,” said police.

“No, I’m not,” said Chamberlain.

“Put down the knife,” said the officer.

“No, I’m not,” responds Chamberlain.

Chamberlain can then be heard saying “Semper Fi,” and “Hoorah” prompting the officer to mimic him with a “Hoorah.”

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Loud banging noises can be heard from police using equipment to get into the apartment.

"I know I'm gonna get hurt," said Chamberlain.

He can then be heard telling someone that police were about to break in.

“They’re breaking through Mr. President,” said Chamberlain. “I’m out numbered and I can’t [muffled speech]…”

Police can be heard assuring Chamberlain that they aren’t going to hurt him. As police force the door open you can hear Chamberlain say “shoot me, come on.”

The video ends just after he is shown shirtless and in shorts, with his left hand appearing to be empty. It isn’t clear whether anything was in his right hand. 

Click on the videos to watch them in their entirety, and check with us later for more on this story.

Click here for all of our coverage on the Chamberlain shooting. 

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