Attorney General Letitia James releases body camera footage as part of the ongoing investigation into the fatal shooting of Mark Bemis by Chautauqua County deputies

New York – New York Attorney General Letitia James has made public the body-worn camera footage related to the fatal shooting of Mark Bemis, who died during a confrontation with Chautauqua County Sheriff’s deputies on June 18, 2025. The release of the footage is part of the ongoing investigation being conducted by the Attorney General’s Office of Special Investigation (OSI).

The footage, which was collected from deputies’ body cameras at the scene, was released to promote transparency in police-involved fatalities. Attorney General James has previously committed to making such materials public to build trust between law enforcement and communities across New York.

“This video contains content that viewers may find disturbing.”

According to official reports, deputies with the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to a residence in the Town of Mina after receiving a 911 call about a domestic incident. Upon arriving at the scene, officers encountered 60-year-old Mark Bemis outside the home near an open garage. He was reportedly holding a long gun.

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A confrontation quickly escalated, and both Bemis and the deputies exchanged gunfire. Bemis was shot during the exchange and later died at the scene. A shotgun was recovered near his body. No deputies were injured in the incident.

Under New York State law, the Attorney General’s Office is required to investigate any incident where a police officer may have caused the death of an individual. This includes cases whether the person is armed or unarmed, in custody or not, and whether the officer was on or off duty at the time. This process is outlined in Executive Law Section 70-b.

The release of the video does not mean any legal determination has been made. No decisions have yet been announced regarding whether criminal charges will be filed against any party involved. The Attorney General’s office emphasized that the footage is being released as part of standard procedure and is not intended to indicate fault or innocence.

“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.”

As is customary in these types of investigations, the Office of Special Investigation will continue its review of all available evidence, including statements from witnesses, ballistics reports, and forensic analysis, before reaching any conclusions. This process may take several weeks or months, depending on the complexity of the case.

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Community members and civil rights advocates have expressed interest in the release of body-worn camera footage in such cases to ensure that public institutions remain accountable. The footage is now available for public viewing, though authorities warn it may be distressing for some individuals.

The death of Mark Bemis adds to an ongoing national conversation about law enforcement practices, use of force, and transparency. In New York, Attorney General James has taken a firm stance on public access to investigative materials, stating that accountability must be a central pillar of community trust.

Anyone with additional information relevant to the investigation is encouraged to contact the Office of Special Investigation.

The full video is available on the New York Attorney General’s official website.