D.C. police department releases body cam footage of fatal shooting that sparked overnight protests

District of Columbia police on Thursday released body cam video of a fatal, officer-involved shooting a day earlier that sparked protests outside the home of Democrat Mayor Muriel Bowser. 

The four-minute video shows the officer chasing the shooting victim, identified as 18-year-old Deon Kay, fleeing from police with a gun in his hand. Officers were investigating reports of a man with a gun and approached a group of people in and around a vehicle. 

"Upon seeing the officers, two of the suspects fled on foot. During the foot pursuit, one of the suspects brandished a firearm. In response, an officer discharged their firearm one time, striking the suspect," the Metropolitan Police Department wrote on its website.

Kay was pronounced dead after being transported to a hospital. The police have not identified the second individual who fled the scene.

The incident sparked protests outside the mayor's home a police precinct with protestors demanding answers.

"NO WAY THEY GET AWAY WITH THIS. DON’T LET THE MEDIA BLACK THIS OUT LIKE THEY ALWAYS DO!!! DONT LET MPD CONTROL THE NARRATIVE! POLICE LIE!!!!! WE’RE ON OUR WAY," the D.C. chapter of Black Lives Matter tweeted. 

Protests resumed Thursday morning with activists from the Sunrise Movement demanding the mayor defund the police and fire police Chief Peter Newsham. The officers involved in the shooting have been put on administrative leave. 

The police chief and mayor had a live news briefing Thursday to discuss the situation in which Bowser encouraged people to not let their anger turn into violence.

Tensions continue to rise between protesters and police across the country with the recent incidents arising in such cities as Minneapolis and Kenosha, Wisconsin.