Family lawyer says body-cam video shows unjustified use of force in Memphis shooting
A lawyer for Jonah Neal's family says body-camera footage shows the federal agent who shot Neal inside his home did not face an imminent threat.
Attorney Andre Wharton, representing the family of Jonah Neal, reviewed body-camera footage provided by the Shelby County District Attorney's Office that appears to contradict the justification for the shooting. The video, recorded from a second agent's perspective, shows Neal inside his apartment while agents stand at the front door, with Neal several feet away when an agent fired. Neal's mother can be heard describing her son's mental health crisis and pleading for help.
An agent is heard stating Neal was holding a knife, not a firearm, before the shots were fired. Wharton called the incident out of proportion and indicative of insufficient training. The family seeks a transparent investigation, emphasizing broader community concerns about accountability for federal task-force officers.
Why it matters
The case raises questions about the use of lethal force by federal agents during mental health emergencies.
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