IMPD releases edited body cam footage from officer who fatally shot man after traffic stop

The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department released edited body-worn camera footage Tuesday from a recent officer-involved shooting in which an officer killed a man after a traffic stop.

On Aug. 3 at about 9:40 a.m., IMPD Officer Douglas Correll conducted a traffic stop on the 3400 block of North Parker Avenue for reckless driving. The driver of the car was 49-year-old Gary Harrell.

The video shows Correll emerge from his vehicle and address Harrell, asking “What are you doing?” as Harrell stands in the road next to his car. The two continue to talk as Harrell sits back down in his car and picks up his phone, and Correll asks him to get back out of the vehicle.

According to the IMPD narration in the video, Harrell then grabs a gun from the car’s glove compartment. The footage shows Harrell begin to run away from Correll, with a phone in his left hand and a gun in his right hand.

Correll begins to run after Harrell. Correll says, “Stop it, drop it,” and almost immediately discharges his firearm twice. The IMPD narrative says Harrell, whose back was facing the officer, was struck once.

The IMPD narrative emphasizes that Harrell dropped his firearm after Correll fired his weapon.

Another officer arrived at the scene and provided medical aid to Harrell. Harrell was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

IMPD typically releases edited versions of critical incidents like officer-involved shootings. The videos are narrated and shortened. The edited footage of this incident can be viewed here. Warning: The video contains images that some viewers may find disturbing.

IMPD Chief Randal Taylor said in a statement that the investigation is ongoing, and asked for patience from the public while it continues.

“This release comes as a part of my commitment to transparency, and with the recognition of the tragic loss of Mr. Harrell and the lives impacted by this incident, including officers,” Taylor’s statement reads in part.

In a statement, the Black Church Coalition called for a federal investigation into IMPD, and demanded Correll be fired.

“The recent police-involved shooting continues to follow an unacceptable pattern within the ranks of IMPD,” the statement reads in part.

Correll is a 28-year veteran with IMPD. He has been placed on administrative leave, which is standard procedure in officer-involved shootings. IMPD’s Critical Incident Response Team is investigating the shooting and IMPD’s Internal Affairs unit is conducting a separate investigation. The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office is also being consulted.

After the criminal investigation process is completed, the civilian-majority Use of Force Review Board will assess the incident.

Contact WFYI criminal justice reporter Katrina Pross at kpross@wfyi.org. Pross is a Corps Member of Report for America, an initiative of The GroundTruth Project.