Decatur Police release body cam and dash cam footage of officer-involved shooting

DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) - The Decatur Police Department released body cam and dash cam footage from an officer-involved shooting from October 12 that left two officers injured and a suspect dead.

Two officers were shot and a suspect was killed after a traffic stop turned violent.

A press conference was held Monday at 11 a.m. WAND News was there to bring you the latest information.

Multiple angles from several different body cams and patrol dash cams were released.

WARNING: The video shown is graphic.

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The suspect was identified as Jamontey O. Neal, 32, of Decatur, who was pronounced dead at Decatur Memorial Hospital at 12:48 a.m. Wednesday.

Around 12:30 am, officers made a traffic stop in the 1300 block of E. Walnut Street. During the stop, shots were fired. DPD said an informant had told them he was in possession of a gun.

They said Neal had two guns in the car with him. One was underneath of him. Decatur police said that is the one he reached for before opening fire on the officers.

Police said the driver, Neal, was ordered to show his hands. The videos that were released showed the officers repeatedly ordered Neal to show his hands and place his hands on the steering wheel. They said Neal refused to comply, and one officer saw what was believed to be a handgun in the vehicle near Neal.

At this point, DPD said the officers tried to remove Neal from the vehicle.

That's when they said Neal produced a handgun and fired multiple rounds at the officers at close range. At this point, the officers returned fire, DPD said.

Neal then again fired at the officers, police said, at which time the officers again returned fire.

During the shootout, one Decatur Police Officer was hit multiple times and a second Decatur Police Officer was hit one time. Neal was struck multiple times.

Decatur Police Chief Shane Brandel said, "Sergeant Wittmer was in the worst possible situation in this incident. He had been hit multiple times by gunfire. He went down to the ground. His vision was impaired. He had a malfunction of his weapon and he was completely exposed to the person who was trying to kill him."

Decatur Police said Neal's family were viewing the footage of the shooting with Illinois State Police and the Macon County State's Attorney.

"I've said this from the beginning, I want the public to see this... there is no hiding anything here. The videos speak for themselves," Chief Brandel said.

A total of four officers involved did fire their weapons during this incident. The officers that were involved in the shooting were:

Sgt. Timothy Wittmer, 15-year veteran of DPD

Officer Austin Bowman, 2-year veteran of DPD

Officer Ryan Ricker, 2-year veteran of DPD

Deputy Travis Wolfe, a 10-year veteran of MCSO

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Sgt. Wittmer was shot multiple times during this incident. He was shot in the hand which requiring surgery. It is possible he could lose a finger, but they are hoping that will not happen. He was also shot in the foot and the left posterior area, but a titanium wallet stopped that bullet. He had fragment injuries on his head. Officer Bowman was shot one time in the lower abdomen during this incident. It was a "through and through" wound. Both Sgt. Wittmer and Ofc. Bowman have been released from the hospital and are recovering.

Sgt. Wittmer can be heard on the videos telling fellow officers, "I'm hit all over."

Chief Brandel said of the officers now, "They are both doing well. I think if it were up to them, they would be back to work tomorrow. That is their spirit. They have a true desire to serve their community."

According to police, the officers are apart of the department's CAT team, which focuses on gun violence in the city. Since May 1, CAT Team has seized 73 guns.

"These guys are going out every night to do what they can to get guns off the street and take violent offenders off the street and keeping this community safe," said Chief Brandel.

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The Decatur Police Department previously shared a picture that was taken at the hospital after the officers were shot. It is a section of Sgt. Wittmer’s blood-stained uniform. "Although it may be difficult to look at, it should serve as a reminder to this community, our state, and our country of the level of dedication police officers have, and their willingness to sacrifice their very lives to keep our communities safe," DPD said in a statement.

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The incident is under review by the Illinois State Police at the request of the Decatur Police Department.

ISP is providing reports to State's Attorney's Office who will make a determination on the use of deadly force.

The officers involved in the shooting will not go back to the streets until they are cleared by Macon County State's Attorney.