Bodycam Shows Man Raising Handgun Before Cops Fire Fatal Shots

 

On Friday, police in St. Paul released body camera footage showing the moments leading up to the fatal shooting of 43-year-old William James Hughes by officers Matthew Jones and Vincent Adams. The shooting occurred on the morning of August 5 on the porch of an apartment building and has raised questions from Hughes’ family and civil rights advocates about the necessity of using deadly force.

Despite the ongoing investigation by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA), Police Chief Todd Axtell took the unusual step of releasing the bodycam footage before the official review was complete. Axtell cited growing misinformation surrounding the case as a reason for the early release. Speaking at a news conference, he warned that "widespread rumors and falsehoods" could erode public trust in the police and endanger officers' safety.

The footage shows Officers Jones and Adams approaching a small enclosed porch, knocking on a door as part of their response to a call. Moments later, Hughes emerges from another door with a handgun in his right hand. The officers immediately shout commands for him to raise his hands. As Hughes begins to raise the weapon toward the ceiling, the gun briefly swings in the direction of the officers. Within seconds, one or both officers open fire.

A search warrant application filed by the BCA revealed that the incident began after Hughes reportedly fired two to three shots into the wall of his apartment during an argument and pointed a firearm at his roommate. The roommate fled and contacted police. The situation quickly escalated upon the officers’ arrival.

Hughes, a member of the White Earth Nation, an Ojibwe band in northern Minnesota, had reportedly been struggling with severe health issues. According to relatives, he was suicidal due to a terminal illness that severely impacted his quality of life. These details were included in the BCA’s search warrant application as part of the ongoing investigation.

Chief Axtell disclosed that he had watched the bodycam footage with Hughes' family before releasing it publicly. During the news conference, he held up two envelopes containing cards written by Hughes’ sister—one addressed to Officer Adams, the other to Officer Jones. Axtell became emotional, stating, “This is the first time in my 30-year career that I’ve ever seen such grace by a family met by such a tragedy.”

While the BCA continues to investigate the incident, Ramsey County Attorney John Choi emphasized that the bodycam footage is only one piece of the puzzle. In a statement, Choi said, “The video is difficult to watch, but it must be weighed alongside other evidence.” He confirmed that his office is receiving daily updates from the BCA and that all information will be reviewed thoroughly before determining whether the shooting was legally justified.

The incident has prompted responses from civil liberties organizations and city officials. John Gordon, executive director of the ACLU of Minnesota, questioned whether the use of deadly force was necessary. “Having a gun, in and of itself, is not reason enough for someone to be shot,” Gordon said in a statement. “Officers must receive thorough training on how to de-escalate dangerous situations. That, unfortunately, did not happen for William Hughes.”

St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter also commented on the release of the footage, calling it “heartbreaking.” He added, “Our city mourns this tragic loss of life, and we wish this shooting had never occurred.”

As the investigation moves forward, the incident has reignited public conversations about law enforcement training, mental health, and the role of de-escalation in police encounters involving armed but potentially non-hostile individuals. The final determination on whether the officers' actions were justified will rest with the Ramsey County Attorney’s Office after all evidence is reviewed.