Body camera video released in two fatal shootings by Louisville Metro Police

Newly released body camera footage from Louisville Metro Police shows two tense encounters between armed suspects and officers that police say prompted them to fire their guns, resulting in two deaths.

The incidents happened within days of one another and involved four officers who fired their weapons.

Nicholas A. Pierce, 43, was shot during a police call May 10 in Pleasure Ridge Park, while an unnamed 17-year-old was shot May 14 in Wilder Park. Both later died in the hospital.

"That affects their families. It is something that forever alters the officers involved, and it has a ripple effect in our community as a whole," LMPD Chief Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel said in a press conference Friday.

Here's what we know about both shootings.

Find the full videos at youtube.com/@LouisvilleMetroPD/videos.

Three officers shoot and kill man in Pleasure Ridge Park

The first incident took place in the 4700 block of Crawford Avenue around 11 p.m. May 10 after LMPD officers were dispatched to the area in Pleasure Ridge Park to follow up on a report of an armed individual, identified as Pierce.

On Friday, LMPD Deputy Chief Steve Healey said police and emergency services had been dispatched to a residence earlier that day when Pierce called for medical assistance.

Officers and EMS employees tried to provide help, Healey said, but Pierce refused their requests to put his dog, who was acting aggressively, away. Those officers and EMS personnel later left the area without providing assistance.

According to Healey, Pierce called emergency response providers again that night, claiming people had taken items from his home. While refusing to answer questions, Pierce allegedly told the dispatch caller "do not send a nice cop" because he had a knife. Based on that call, LMPD decided to not send a deflection officer, trained to de-escalate, provide emotional support and problem solve for the person in crisis.

When officers arrived and knocked on Pierce's door, a dog began barking and Pierce could be heard yelling "get them" repeatedly, according to body camera footage.

While standing in the yard, an officer requested to take Pierce to the hospital. In the video, Pierce appeared in a doorway at the side of his house with a knife, which police identified as a United States Marine Corps fighting knife with a 7-inch blade.

Police repeatedly told Pierce to drop the weapon, according to the video.

Pierce was seen in the video charging at officers with the knife alongside his dog. Officers deployed a taser, which caused Pierce to briefly collapse. He then got back up and continued to charge, causing three officers — Bailey Siegrist, Christine Silk and Noah Sheets — to fire their guns, police said.

While collapsed, Pierce refused to drop the knife despite repeated demands by police, the video showed. While on the ground, Pierce continued to speak to officers about a theft from his home.

Pierce eventually dropped the knife, and officers approached him. Once close, an unidentified officer kicked the knife away and was then seen repeatedly kicking Pierce while he was still collapsed, though a flashlight obscured some of the scene.

When asked about this aspect of the video, LMPD spokesperson John Bradley said the department's Public Integrity Unit is investigating the entire incident and "any use of force displayed is a part of this review/investigative process."

Officers rendered aid until Pierce was transported to the University of Louisville Hospital, where he died May 12 from his injuries.

As per standard policy, the officers who discharged their guns have been placed on administrative leave pending the internal investigation's conclusion.

Police shoot teen linked to homicide investigation

The second incident took place around 3 p.m. May 14 at Third and Kenton streets in the Wilder Park neighborhood, where officers were surveilling a 17-year-old boy who was suspected to be involved in the homicide of 18-year-old David Martinez the week prior.

According to Bradley, the officers approached the suspect after he left a corner store in order to bring him into custody.

The suspect revealed a gun when he was approached by officers and attempted to run away, police said.

In body camera footage, the teen was seen tackled to the ground by officers but appeared to still have a gun in his hand, which was underneath his body. Police demanded that he release the weapon, but the suspect did not. The suspect did not appear to speak to officers throughout the encounter.

When asked by reporters whether police think there could have been a language barrier, Healey said that will be determined as part of an internal review of the shooting.

After police warned the suspect a canine would be deployed if he did not drop his weapon, the suspect fired the gun once, police said. Det. Benjamin Derby, who Healey said acted as the "cover officer with deadly force option," fired once, striking the teen.

The gun was recovered from the suspect and aid was rendered until he was transported to the University of Louisville Hospital. He died Wednesday as a result of his injuries, police said.

The Courier Journal asked whether Derby's discharge of his weapon was in line with police training, given that multiple officers were in close proximity of the suspect and holding him down. In response, Healey said the suspect was wanted for a homicide and refused to drop his weapon, which he also discharged once.

"That was the most effective way and probably the safest way to end that situation, especially when you're talking about a crowded street," Healey said.

The gun recovered from the suspect was later identified by police to be the same weapon used in the homicide of Martinez. The teen was charged with the homicide before he died.

Reach reporter Rachel Smith at [email protected] or @RachelSmithNews on X, formerly known as Twitter. 

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Louisville police release body camera video of two fatal shootings