Sacramento shooting of unarmed black man reignites debate on police body cameras

Police in Sacramento.
(Image credit: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Sacramento police officers muted their body cameras just moments after shooting and killing an unarmed black man last week, sparking a renewed debate over how the devices should be used to hold law enforcement accountable.

Stephon Clark was fatally shot on March 18, after police chased him into his grandmother's backyard. Police officers fired at him 20 times, and body cameras captured one officer shouting "gun," apparently mistaking a cell phone in Clark's hand for a firearm. While the officers walk away from Clark to the street, one can be heard saying "Hey, mute," before the audio on both body cameras goes silent.

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Summer Meza, The Week US

Summer Meza has worked at The Week since 2018, serving as a staff writer, a news writer and currently the deputy editor. As a proud news generalist, she edits everything from political punditry and science news to personal finance advice and film reviews. Summer has previously written for Newsweek and the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, covering national politics, transportation and the cannabis industry.