Kajieme Powell

Kajieme Powell, 25, was shot and killed by two St. Louis police officers within seconds of their arrival at a convenience-store disturbance on August 19, 2014.

What happened

A convenience-store incident involving snacks and energy drinks brought police to a street in north St. Louis. Bystander cellphone video showed Kajieme Powell walking on the sidewalk with a knife, speaking loudly and telling arriving officers to shoot him. The officers immediately drew their guns and fired approximately 12 shots after Powell approached them; the entire encounter lasted seconds. Activists questioned why officers did not attempt distance, dialogue or nonlethal tactics, particularly given the appearance of a serious mental-health crisis. The public video also raised questions about early police characterizations of his knife movements. His killing came ten days after Michael Brown's death in nearby Ferguson.

Investigation & findings

St. Louis prosecutors declined criminal charges against Officers Nicholas Shelton and Ellis Brown after reviewing video and witness statements. The prosecutor's finding should be separated from criticism of the rapid escalation of force.

What happened

Investigation & findings

Sources & records