When a pen-wielding, mentally ill man was shot and killed by San Diego Police Officer Neal Browder last April, the incident was captured by a surveillance camera.

The footage is the only video of the shooting, since the officer did not have his body camera turned on. The San Diego Police Department has refused to release the video, citing a law that prevents them from releasing evidence in an active investigation.

District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis announced last month that her office would not be pressing charges against the involved officer and that the video shows the shooting was justified.

Others say the video shows that the shooting was unprovoked.

On this week’s San Diego Explained, Voice of San Diego’s Liam Dillon and NBC’s Monica Dean explain why the local media has filed a lawsuit to ask a judge to allow the release of the footage.

Amanda Rhoades is a reporting intern for Voice of San Diego. You can get in contact with her by phone or email at 619-550-5672 or amanda@voiceofsandiego.org

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