WILMINGTON — Newly released body-worn camera video of the June 24 deadly encounter between city police and 19-year-old Kadir Skinner has intensified calls from the family and their attorneys for criminal charges against the officer who fired his weapon.
What the footage shows
The footage, recorded from multiple officers' cameras shortly after 11 p.m. at 24th and Jessup streets, captures officers approaching Skinner while one can be heard announcing, "He's got a gun." In the clips, Skinner repeatedly tells officers he is unarmed and says he cannot breathe.
"I don't got nothing. I don't got nothing," Skinner says on the video. Later, he is heard saying, "I can't breathe."
At least one angle shows an officer drawing and firing a weapon while shouting commands. Other footage shows officers handcuffing Skinner and kneeling on him as he continued to say he had nothing and that he could not breathe. A separate camera appears to record an officer picking something up from the grass, after which another officer can be heard saying, "Secure the gun," followed by, "I have it."
Family reaction and legal response
Attorneys representing Skinner's family, joined by relatives and community supporters at Shiloh Baptist Church following the video's release, said the recordings contradict earlier statements from authorities and demonstrate an unjustified use of force.
"What we saw and what we witnessed was an unjustified killing," attorney Chance Lynch told supporters.
Attorney Harry Daniels argued that whether or not a weapon was present, the fact Skinner was shot in the back while running from police made the shooting troubling to the family and community advocates.
Timeline and immediate facts
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| June 24 | Shooting occurred after 11 p.m. at 24th and Jessup streets |
| Mid-July | Police body-worn camera footage released; family attorneys hold a gathering at Shiloh Baptist Church |
Wilmington police initially reported that Skinner had come out of a residence armed and had waved a gun at a crowd before officers fired. Family attorneys contend the video does not support that sequence and have called for criminal charges against the officer who fired.
Community concerns and next steps
The release of the footage has renewed broader local debates over police transparency and use-of-force protocols. Community members and legal advocates have pressed for accountability and for a thorough, independent review of the incident.
At this time, officials have not released additional details about any charges or disciplinary steps. The family's legal team and community organizers continue to demand answers as investigators review the recordings and pursue any potential legal remedies.
- Victim: Kadir Skinner, 19
- Incident date: June 24, after 11 p.m.
- Location: 24th and Jessup streets, Wilmington
The footage and the family's response underscore how video evidence is shaping public understanding and legal debate in Wilmington. As the investigation proceeds, residents are watching closely for how city and law enforcement officials will respond to calls for accountability.
