LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Louisville Metro Police released the body camera video from the officers that fatally shot a man in southwest Jefferson County in late July.
Officers responded on July 25 to a 911 call on Eagle Wood Drive. That is just off Dixie Highway.
LMPD Assistant Chief Emily McKinley said during the 911 call, the caller indicated he needed to go to the hospital, and that there was unknown trouble at the residence.
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She said this type of call is not eligible for the crisis diversion team because the caller did not answer specific questions.
When officers arrived, they said a man, 32-year-old Yoel Napoles-Ravelo, was acting erratic and inside a home with several family members.
In the bodycam, Napoles-Ravelo's sister is seen trying to get him to talk to officers through the screen on the window. In Spanish, she told her brother the officer just wanted to speak to him.
"You don't have to come outside, just through the glass," she said. "Just through the glass, speak to him Yoel."
As the footage progressed she is heard telling her brother to "leave that alone please" in Spanish.
To watch the full news conference, click here.
The officer, identified as Ofc. Matthew Forbes, is then heard requesting tones because Napoles-Ravelo had just picked up a knife.
After family had safely gotten out of the house, Napoles-Ravelo punched out the screen and exited the residence, body camera footage showed.
While police attempted to de-escalate the situation, Napoles-Ravelo drops and picks up a butcher knife several times according to the footage.
"He put it down when the officers command at one point," said Mike Cooper, the attorney for Napoles-Ravelo's family. "He followed some other commands of the officers."
He was also carrying a bible.
Forbes, Ofc. Garrett Schmeltz and Ofc. Kendrick Eaves fired their guns at him when the footage showed him approaching officers with the knife. McKinley confirmed less lethal weapons -- tasers and rubber bullets -- were deployed at the same time police fired their guns.
"Ultimately, the male charged officers while wielding the butcher knife, prompting the officers to discharge their less lethal weapons and firearms, striking the subject multiple times," McKinley said.
Forbes joined the force in 2015, while both Schmeltz and Eaves joined in 2023.
"The officers were pleading with him for compliance, and they gave multiple opportunities for that," McKinley said.
McKinley also identified the caller as Napoles-Ravelo.
"We had no attempt to really de-escalate," Cooper said. "Or really subdue him through means that were less than lethal."
All officers were placed on administrative leave, and the Public Integrity Unit is investigating.
Police said they also recovered suspected methamphetamine at the scene.
During Thursday's news conference, LMPD also announced new procedures about the release of body worn camera from "officer-involved critical incidents."
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