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Titusville, FL – In an emotional segment of Monday night’s Titusville City Council meeting, residents and council members grappled with the nearly four-month delay in the release of body camera footage related to the police-involved shooting death of Tri-Maria Charles on February 7, 2025. The core issue discussed was a request for the Titusville Police Department (TPD) to allow the victim’s mother, Samantha Charles, to view the footage.

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On February 7, 2025, around 9:15 p.m., Titusville Police officers responded to a residence on Robbins Avenue following reports of a suspicious incident. Upon arrival, they encountered 26-year-old Tri-Marea Rayquan Charles, who was reportedly armed with a handgun. According to police statements, Charles attempted to flee through the front door, tripped, and dropped his firearm. As officers shouted that he had a gun, Charles allegedly picked up the weapon and rushed toward them, prompting officers to fire. Charles was transported to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) initiated an independent investigation into the shooting, with the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office handling forensic evidence. As of May 8, 2025, the FDLE’s investigative summary was in its final stages, pending review by the Regional Legal Advisor before submission to the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office for a decision on the use of deadly force.

The discussion culminated in a motion, brought forward by Member Muscoso and seconded by Vice Mayor Cole, to “direct the city manager to request that the Titusville police department offer Miss Samantha Charles the opportunity to privately view the available body cam footage… accompanied by a support person of her choosing contingent upon the signing signing an appropriate confidentiality and non-disclosure agreement”, with the addition of “as soon as possible.” The city attorney suggested to add the language of “if required” regarding the NDA.

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Samantha Charles spoke directly to the council, expressing her deep pain and need for closure. “Every mother deserves to know the truth behind their children,” she stated, asking why the process was being prolonged1. Visiting her son’s grave on Mother’s Day underscored her lack of closure. Ms. Charles told the council that Chief Lau had personally told her he has the “choice to let me see the footage” but that he “didn’t want to you know mess up the investigation,” contradicting her understanding that the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) doesn’t control the footage. She insisted, “it’s up to TPD and he told me he he can but he was like the state attorney hasn’t did they part so I’m like what that got to do with me seeing the footage of my son.” She pleaded, “I just want to see what happened to my my son the truth and they it’s not going to interrupt the the um investigation.” She noted the long duration compared to other cities, stating, “every county shows the footage. Here I’m three months and no footage.” She alleged the Chief only called her the day before the meeting because he knew she planned to speak. She firmly stated her belief that “everybody FDLE everybody they don’t have no control over the footage so all that is a lie he can show me that footage he can show my lawyers the footage.”

Council discussion touched on procedural complexities and the authority to release the footage. Member Nelson, who identified herself as a prosecutor, expressed understanding but cautioned that the case is currently with the State Attorney’s Office. She questioned whether TPD has the authority to release the footage without their permission, stating, “the prosecutor in me says right now it’s with the state attorney’s office and they need to be able to release that before Titusville Police Department Hey can show the mom the video.” City Attorney Richard Broom indicated that interfering in a state investigation could be grounds for removal. While council members sought clarification on TPD’s authority, staff present could not speak for the Chief. Member Nelson later clarified that State Attorney Will Shiner, who serves two counties, reviews cases sent by police departments but does not have direct oversight over them.

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