By Sarah Roebuck Police1
WASHINGTON — Surveillance video has been released showing the moment a special police officer was shot during a training session led by a retired police lieutenant at the Anacostia Library in D.C.
The baton training, led by retired Lt. Jesse Porter in August 2022, was taking place in the lower level of the library when the incident occurred. Porter was hired as a private contractor at the time, FOX 5 reports.
Maurica Manyan, 25, had gathered with the group of trainees at the end of the training to take a picture.
In the surveillance video released Wednesday, Porter can be seen taking a step away from the group after the photo is taken. He then turns around, draws his gun and fires toward the group, striking Manyan with a single bullet.
The video shows the group in shock, with Porter throwing his hands on top of his head in disbelief.
The family’s lawyer said Porter should not have been permitted to have a firearm within the D.C. public library or during a training session, FOX 5 reports.
Latoya Francis-Williams, the legal representative for the Manyan family, stated a lawsuit was filed after it was confirmed that Porter, acting in his role as an agent for the District of Columbia, was responsible for Manyan’s death, according to WJLA.
The lawsuit also calls for an investigation into potential policy violations made by Porter.
Porter was charged with involuntary manslaughter in August 2022. In June 2023, Porter pleaded guilty. He was sentenced to three years in prison for the shooting and received credit for time served.
Manyan, who was a special police officer for the library, left behind a young son.