Detroit police release video of officers shooting Porter Burks armed with knife

Detroit Police have released body cam video of officers fatally shooting a man armed with a knife who ran toward them early Oct. 2.

The family of Porter Burks, 22, told police that Burks was in a mental health crisis and he was armed with a knife. He had slashed his brother’s tires, police were told.

The video, shown by police during a press conference Tuesday, Oct. 4, shows officers approach Burks and offer him help. Detroit Police Chief James White said he released body cam video to be transparent, but also because of misinformation about he had heard and read about the incident.

Officers found Burks in the area of Snowden near Lyndon, standing in the middle of a street. He was holding an eight-inch knife.

“Drop the knife for me man. Come here real quick. You’re OK. You’re not in any trouble. You’re not in any trouble,” an officer tells Burks. “Can you just talk to me and drop the knife?”

Officers repeatedly try to calm Burks over about five minutes.

“We’re here to help you, Porter,” an officer says.

But at some point, the video shows he begins running toward officers and appearing to wave his arms.

Officers fired 38 shots in three seconds, striking Burks multiple times.

“This is a very tragic situation,” Detroit Police Chief James White told media Tuesday, Oct. 4. “Certainly not the desired outcome.”

“This is not what we wanted. The officer were trying to negotiate with him and, without provocation, he charged the officer(s) with a knife in hand,” White said.

Police said Burks had a history of struggling with mental illness he had a pattern of being brought to receive psychological services but being released with insufficient follow-up to make sure he was taking his medication.

“This is a system that has failed Mr. Burks and failed Mr. Burks’ family, because they obviously tried to get him help, and unfortunately it culminated in the incident (Oct. 2),” White said.

“Our mental health crisis in this country is real,” White said.