The Fort Wayne Police Department (FWPD) has released the body camera footage of the incident involving the fatal shooting of 22-year-old Linzell Parhm by a still-unnamed officer. This decision to release the footage was made following communication with Parhm’s family, providing transparency to the community and shedding light on the situation.
The incident took place at John St. and Hurd St. during a routine traffic stop. According to the press release, “actions from the occupants” led the officer to use their weapon, ultimately resulting in Parhm’s death.
The FWPD PIO, Jeremy Webb, narrated the edited body camera footage. According to Webb, the officer noticed a gun near the front-seat passenger upon approaching the vehicle. The officer instructed the passenger to keep his hands firmly planted on the dashboard, but the passenger repeatedly disregarded these instructions and reached for the gun despite the clear warnings.
Two shots were fired, both striking Parhm, resulting in his death.
The investigation remains ongoing, involving the Fort Wayne Police Department, Indiana State Police Department, Allen County Prosecutor’s Office, and the Coroner’s Office. The FWPD has committed to upholding transparency and thoroughness while navigating this challenging situation.
The release of the footage represents a step toward answering questions and concerns raised by the community following the incident. In doing so, the FWPD hopes to build trust and instill confidence in the community they serve.