Body Camera Footage Reveals Moments Before White’s Death
A frame of the body camera footage from Officer Anand Badgujar confronting Robert White.
Montgomery County police have released the body camera footage of Officer Anand Badgujar who confronted Robert White on a Silver Spring street June 11.
The incident led to Badgujar shooting White several times. At least seven shots are heard on the video. The police also added the body camera footage of a second officer who arrived to assist Badgujar.
The link to the video is at the bottom of this webpage. Readers may find the graphic images of the video disturbing.
In the video, Badgujar chases White through the neighborhood, near Ten Oaks Drive. Over his radio, Badgujar notes White keeps his hands in his pockets.
“This might be a suicide by cop type thing,” he says.
At one point, the two pass a woman who trying to get her baby in or out of a car seat. Badgujar tells her to get the baby away from the scene.
White tells Badgujar to stop following him. In the next few frames, you can see Badgujar extend his left hand, holding his pistol. White can be heard saying, “Do it.”
At one point Badgujar returns to his cruiser. White then hits him, and within seconds — about three minutes after the start of the Badgujar’s footage — the officer fires his weapon.
On Friday, the Howard County State’s Attorney concluded Badgujar was justified in the shooting.
Montgomery County Police Internal Affairs detectives are continuing their investigation, police said. That investigation, police said, would determine whether Badgujar acted within department rules and policy.
A police statement released Wednesday described questions asked of Badgujar and the responses received from his lawyer, Morgan Blackledge:
Question: “What drew Officer Badgujar’s attention to Robert White?”
Attorney’s Response:
“As he [Officer Badgujar] drove in his car past Three Oaks Drive he observed Robert White walking north on the right side of Three Oaks Drive. His attention was drawn to Robert White as he observed that Robert White had a large rip in the fabric on the upper back of his outer garment, and because he abruptly moved his right hand to the right side of his body. As Officer Badgujar passed Three Oaks Drive, Robert White continued to stare at the marked police vehicle as it traveled on Sligo Creek Parkway.”
In addition, Officer Badgujar’s attorney provided the following information:
“Officer Badgujar observed that Robert White was appearing as if he was going to continue straight on foot passed the dead-end on Three Oaks Drive. As Robert White observed Officer Badgujar’s police presence he abruptly turned right while in the middle of the intersection towards a foot path which appeared to go to a different neighborhood. Robert White bladed his right side away from Officer Badgujar and thrust his right hand into his right jacket/hoodie pocket while raising his right shoulder. Robert White quickened his pace and began to walk toward the footpath while looking over his shoulder at Officer Badgujar. These actions in their totality (based on his training and experiences), made Officer Badgujar believe that Robert White was armed.”
Question: “As Robert White advanced on Officer Badgujar, why did Officer Badgujar fire his gun instead of using his ASP baton to repel the attack?”
Attorney’s Response:
“As Robert White made contact he attempted to grab Officer Badgujar’s firearm while yelling, ‘DO IT!’ Officer Badgujar believed that Robert White was attempting to take the firearm so he [Robert White] could use it against him [Officer Badgujar]. Officer Badgujar believed that Robert White was actively attempting to take control of his firearm, not by mistake or accident; White was committed to his actions.”
Question: “After the first shot and after [Officer Badgujar] fell to the ground, why did Officer Badgujar continue firing his gun?”
Attorney’s Response:
“The first shot was not effective. Officer Badgujar struck the ground and was still attempting to move backwards away from Robert White. Robert White yelled, ‘DO IT AGAIN!’ Robert White continued to press on and Officer Badgujar believed that he [Robert White] was still trying to come after his firearm to use it against him. Officer Badgujar continued to fire his gun until the threat was stopped.”
Now the question is, if he had seen a man of another race. “Less threatening”, would he have followed him; would he have been so outwardly suspicious of him?
It seems like he followed him to provoke him. Overall, protocol was followed, but if Mr. White were a white man, then that would have just been another criminal in the streets to wreak havoc because he was the overlooked race; “less threatening”.
I just hope Montgomery County require their officers to follow that same protocol for every race. I know white criminals and they get away with murder because of their race. And no, me telling won’t fix the problem. It’s obvious this issue is soul deep.