LOUISVILLE, Ky. — David McAtee was killed in an incident involving Louisville Metro Police (LMPD) and the Kentucky National Guard early Monday morning at 26th and Broadway in Louisville.
Mayor Greg Fischer (D) announced Monday afternoon there is no bodycam footage from the officers involved. Neither officers Austin Allen or Katie Crews activated their cameras. This despite a previous order from Fischer following the death of Breonna Taylor that all officers would wear and activate cameras.
Because of this error, Fischer fired police chief Steve Conrad. Conrad, who was set to retire at the end of this month, is being replaced by Robert Schroeder. Governor Andy Beshear (D) said Conrad's firing had to happen. He said two incidents without bodycams are not acceptable.
Allen and Crews are on administrative leave. Schroeder says both officers will face disciplinary action for violating policy by not activating cameras. Since there is no video, LMPD released radio audio from the incident.
LMPD released the pairs' personnel files to the media. You can read them here:
Chief Schroeder said the LMPD Public Integrity Unit is conducting an investigation into this morning’s event; and the Kentucky State Police will be conducting an independent oversight investigation alongside that investigation. The National Guard will also be conducting its own review of its members actions in last night’s incident. “I strongly welcome these external investigations,” the Mayor said, “and will support them in any way possible.”
Late Monday, U.S. Attorney Russell Coleman announced that FBI Louisville is joining KSP with an investigation into McAtee's death.
“We understand this community’s need for answers and we will assess all the information, and will take any appropriate action that is warranted by the facts and the law.”