New York Attorney General Letitia James makes public body camera footage from investigation into Henry Sanders’ death

New York – In a move aimed at bolstering public transparency and accountability, New York Attorney General Letitia James has released body-worn camera footage from an ongoing investigation into the death of Henry Sanders, who died following an encounter with Suffolk County Police Department officers on August 1, 2024.

The footage, made public by the Attorney General’s Office of Special Investigation (OSI), captures moments surrounding the incident that occurred outside a store near North 15th Street and Merritt Avenue in Wyandanch, Suffolk County. Officers had responded to multiple 911 calls that morning, arriving at the scene around 10:22 a.m.

According to the Attorney General’s Office, officers encountered Sanders outside the store and attempted to detain him. During this effort to handcuff him, Sanders appeared to become unresponsive. He was subsequently transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Read also: Kijana Crawford announces retirement after 52 years of groundbreaking service with the College of Liberal Arts at RIT

As part of standard procedure under New York State Executive Law Section 70-b, OSI is required to assess all incidents where a police or peace officer may have caused the death of a person, whether by action or omission. These reviews apply regardless of whether the individual is in custody or armed, or whether the officer involved is on or off duty.

Attorney General James emphasized that the release of this footage does not reflect any judgment regarding criminal liability. “The release of this footage is not an expression of any opinion as to the guilt or innocence of any party in a criminal matter or any opinion as to how or whether any individual may be charged with a crime,” her office stated.

This release follows James’ broader directive to share camera footage obtained during OSI investigations to increase transparency and foster trust between the public and law enforcement agencies. The decision to publish this type of footage publicly has become part of an effort to shed light on cases involving civilian deaths linked to police interactions.

The video material now available to the public includes body-worn camera recordings from multiple officers who were at the scene during the August 1 incident. Though edited to protect sensitive content and identities, the footage provides a real-time visual account of the police encounter with Sanders, leading up to his collapse.

Read also: Traffic stop on Taconic State Parkway results in arrest and recovery of loaded stolen firearm in the Town of Yorktown

Public reaction to the release of the footage is likely to be closely watched, especially as debates continue across the country over policing practices, use of force, and systemic accountability. Community members and advocacy groups are expected to review the footage and respond in the coming days.

At present, the investigation into Henry Sanders’ death remains open and active. The OSI will continue to examine the evidence and circumstances surrounding the incident to determine whether any further legal actions are warranted.

Meanwhile, the Attorney General’s office has reiterated its commitment to impartial and thorough investigations. While no conclusions have yet been drawn, the release of the footage marks a significant step in what promises to be a closely followed case.