More El Cajon protests erupt after video of fatal shooting of Alfred Olango is released
EL CAJON, Calif. (KABC) -- El Cajon police released short cellphone and surveillance videos Friday showing the moments an officer fatally shot Alfred Olango.
Police Chief Jeff Davis said he chose to release the video because of concern for public safety over protests stemming from "false information" formed after the deadly shooting.
On Thursday, a small group of protesters smashed windows and threw bottles, rocks and bricks at police, with one officer being struck in the head.
Friday night, protesters marched through the streets of El Cajon to share a message, but they didn't want to share that message with the media - some even throwing water at reporters.
Officials asked local businesses to close early, fearing more riots.
Both videos show Officer Richard Gonsalves firing four shots at Olango, who was unarmed. A woman can be heard screaming in one of the videos after the shots were fired.
WARNING: Full videos below contain content that may be graphic in nature
During a press conference where authorities discussed the videos, San Diego County District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis said a decision has not been made on whether to file criminal charges against the 21-year veteran officers involved.
"We have not formed any conclusion yet. There is still information that we are waiting to see. We will wait for a thorough investigation to make sure that we come to the right results," she said.
Olango, 38, was shot and killed by Gonsalves on Tuesday after police received calls about a man acting erratically and running into traffic.
Before police released the video, they provided the public with a still image showing Olango in a shooting stance holding an object that was later identified as an e-cigarette. The image caused protesters, activists and Olango's family to demand the release of the full-length videos.
Pamela Benge, Olango's mother, said during a Thursday afternoon press conference that her son wasn't mentally ill as initially reported, but that he was grieving for his best friend who had died. She also said the family fled war-torn Uganda to the U.S. for protection when Olango was a boy.
Olango had a criminal history, and according to Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials, the department tried to deport him twice, but Uganda refused to take him.
For safety reasons, police ordered El Cajon businesses to remain closed until 2 p.m. Sunday.
Davis said the video is still evidence and that the investigation continues.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
