Videos released of Carol Stream police fatally shooting Isaac Goodlow III
CAROL STREAM, Ill. - Carol Stream police released a 33-minute video showing the moments officers shot and killed a man in his apartment while responding to a domestic disturbance last month.
The video begins with roughly 5 minutes of narrative from Carol Stream Police Chief Donald Cummings before showing body-cam footage from all six police officers who entered Isaac Goodlow III’s apartment.
Now, Goodlow’s family is demanding answers after they say the 30-year-old man was asleep and unarmed at the time of the shooting.
On Saturday, Feb. 3, Carol Stream police were sent to Villagebrook Apartments at 260 E. St. Charles Road around 4:15 a.m. for a domestic violence call. There, officers met with the alleged victim outside the apartment building. She told officers that shortly before calling 911, she and Goodlow were fighting, and she had to run barefoot from the apartment in order to call police.
Paramedics treated her injuries and she remained at the scene. The victim then told police officers that she was unable to return to the apartment because she had left without her keys, phone and other basic belongings, police said.
She provided consent for officers to enter the apartment because the door had been locked, police said. Goodlow’s family members, however, tell FOX 32 Chicago that the woman actually lives in another apartment in the complex, and claim that she does not share a unit with Goodlow.
For roughly 50 minutes, officers tried to make contact with Goodlow by knocking on the front door and outside windows. Officers also tried to reach Goodlow by calling his cellphone.
The manager of the apartment complex then came to unlock the door of the apartment, according to police.
Carol Stream releases bodycam footage of fatal shooting by police [RAW]
Carol Stream police released a 30-minute video Friday showing the moments officers shot and killed a man while responding to a domestic violence call last February. (WARNING: Video contains language and graphic content. Viewer discretion is strong advised.)
Six officers entered the one-bedroom apartment while announcing their presence, police said. Inside, two officers each fired one shot and another officer deployed a Taser, according to police.
Immediately following the gunfire, an officer can be heard on body-worn footage saying, "Woah, stop, stop, stop. Hey, he's right here, no he's right here. Show me your hands. Show me your hands."
In a Facebook post after the shooting, the Carol Stream Police Department wrote that officers had encountered a "tense, uncertain, and rapidly evolving situation" – but didn't elaborate on what led them to discharge their weapons.
Goodlow suffered one gunshot wound to the chest.
Officers called for paramedics within 12 seconds of the first shot being fired and took turns rendering aid and administering CPR until paramedics arrived, police said. Goodlow was transported to a local hospital where he was later pronounced dead.
"The Carol Stream Police Department is devoted to respecting human life and will continue to listen to the concerns of our community during this trying time. As the family and loved ones of Mr. Goodlow navigate the tremendous grief that comes from the loss of a loved one, we offer them our most sincere condolences on their loss," police said in a statement.
Carol Stream police notified the Public Integrity Team and the Metropolitan Emergency Response and Investigations Team of the shooting and asked for their assistance in the investigation.
Meanwhile, loved ones, who are grappling with the pain of losing their son, uncle, and brother, say they are now left with more questions than answers.
"We want officer names, we want their faces to be shown," said Dajanae Barnes, Goodlow’s niece.
"An unarmed black man, that caused no threat," said Genia Reynolds, Goodlow’s cousin.
Goodlow’s family took to North and Gary avenues in Carol Stream to protest Friday night.
"What me and my family and attorneys saw, we saw Isaac laying in bed," said Kennetha Barnes, Goodlow’s sister.
Goodlow’s siblings also say they want all the body-cam video released to the public.
"It was unjustified, my brother was asleep. The video they are trying to release to the public has been censored and blurred out," said Michael Pigram, Goodlow’s brother.
Police said footage in the video identifying individuals was redacted in compliance with the Illinois Law Enforcement Body-Worn Camera Act and the Freedom of Information Act.
The entirety of the video, including what happened before and after the shooting, will be released later after the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office finishes their review.
The DuPage County State's Attorney's Office will review forensic evidence, witness accounts and officers' statements before making a determination on the actions of those involved.
Kyenna McConico and Kennetha Barnes, the sisters of Goodlow, filed a federal lawsuit earlier this week against the Village of Carol Stream and the officers identified as John Does 1-6, alleging wrongful death and other counts. The complaint seeks unspecified damages.
The sisters’ attorney, Andrew M. Stroth, said Goodlow was alone and in bed when officers "bust open his bedroom door" and shot him.
"Isaac Goodlaw was shot directly in his heart," Stroth said in a telephone interview.
Stroth said he and Goodlow’s sisters have viewed police body camera footage of the episode, which he called an "unlawful, unjustified shooting."
The names of the officers involved have not yet been released.
The Metropolitan Emergency Response and Investigations Team (MERIT) Public Integrity Team released a statement Monday proving an update on their investigation.
MERIT said its investigation is conducted in accordance with the Illinois Police and Community Relations Improvement Act.
"Each investigation is unique and can take considerable time to complete. Once an investigation is completed, it is tendered to the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office to be reviewed for any potential criminal charges," MERIT said in a statement.
The investigative agency said the redacted video was released at the request of Goodlow's family and the Carol Stream Police Department.
"The Law Enforcement Officer-Worn Body Camera Act and Freedom of Information Act require the redaction of certain audio or visual elements – including faces, names, or other personally identifying information – from publicly released videos. Other than the required redactions, the Public Integrity Team has confirmed the videos are continuous and have not been materially altered or edited. Mr. Goodlow’s family and their attorney were afforded the opportunity to review the video prior to public release," the statement said.