Written by Robert Burns, Editor of The Space Coast Rocket
- Advertisement -
Today, we broadcasted the long-awaited release of the bodycam video involving the Titusville Police Department shooting of Tramare Charles. As a journalist, I typically remain impartial and let the facts speak for themselves. But in this case, I feel compelled to publicly share my opinion.
I believe, had this video shown the victim shooting at officers, it would have likely been released within 24 hours. That’s just the reality. Despite repeated claims from the Titusville Police Chief that he withheld the footage to “protect the integrity of the investigation,” he has never clearly explained or even attempted to do so, how releasing it would have compromised that investigation, especially given the fact that the case had already concluded for some time.
- Advertisement -
This is exactly why we previously highlighted how the Orange County Sheriff’s Office has a policy to release all officer-involved shooting footage within 30 days, regardless of whether an investigation is ongoing.
Was the shooting lawful under Florida statutes? Apparently, yes.
- Advertisement -
Does the video show officers shooting a man in the back, while he was running away, without ever pointing or firing his weapon? Yes, that too is undeniably shown.
Being a law enforcement officer is a difficult, dangerous, and often terrifying job. Split-second decisions must be made under immense stress. I fully appreciate and understand that. But that job is not for everyone, and in my view, it should not be for just anyone. Speaking as someone who served in combat and was routinely in similar situations: had this same situation occurred in Iraq, and the man fleeing was an armed Iraqi running away, never pointing a weapon at me or shooting, I would very likely be facing charges had I shot him in the back, especially if it was caught on video. There are American soldiers in prison today for similar actions under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
The rules of engagement in war often require being fired upon before firing back. Yet here, in a residential neighborhood, many rounds were fired toward a fleeing suspect, in the dark, in the direction of occupied homes. The fear in the officer’s voice is palpable and understandable. But fear alone cannot justify every action taken while in uniform.
Do I support law enforcement? Absolutely. I understand and respect the danger officers face daily. I often witness it first hand in the field trying to provide coverage to the community so that the community can better understand it too. I’ve broadcasted live as rounds bounced on the ground right in front of me being fired from a Cocoa officer in Viera that was shooting at BCSO Deputies for hours from his home. Not a single round was fired at him. He was eventually taken into custody without so much as a scratch despite threatening officers, kidnapping one (his wife), and actually shooting at them with a high-powered rifle.
But I also believe that fear, adrenaline, and the refusal to let someone “get away” can often cloud judgment in life-or-death moments. My opinion recognizing I wasn’t there in the heat of the moment is that this shooting did not need to happen. There’s a difference between what is legally permissible and what is morally or tactically sound.
The initial contact appeared poorly coordinated, despite the department having extensive prior intelligence, information the Chief later cited in great detail to justify the encounter. Had that same level of detail been applied to planning and execution, this tragedy might have been prevented.
The video paints the image of an officer who may not have been adequately prepared for the complexity of the situation. Whether that’s due to a lack of training, experience, or something else, remains to be seen. But I don’t believe most people who watch this video would walk away thinking the actions taken were acceptable…by either party.
And that, I believe, is why this footage wasn’t released for around four months. The public deserves honesty about that. I know I’ll catch some flack and criticism from some of my friends in the law enforcement community for voicing my opinion on this matter, and with that in mind, I’m still making the deliberate decision to do so. Im not defending the the victim in this case AT ALL. His actions as well contributed to the outcome without question. But one party’s fault doesn’t justify the fault of another.
