tal policies and procedures were followed. Because the administrative review is beginning and civil litigation related to this incident remains pending, we are limited in our ability to discuss specific facts or circumstances surrounding the use of deadly force. We also recognize that information shared in the immediate aftermath of this incident did not fully reflect what was later established through the investigation and review of body-worn camera footage. Following this incident, new protocols were immediately put in place. A member of the body-worn camera unit now responds to officer-involved shooting scenes so investigating commanders can review available footage before detailed accounts are provided to the public. Our responsibility is to be as accurate and transparent as possible while protecting the integrity of each investigative process. We will continue to evaluate our practices, learn from critical incidents and work to maintain the trust of our community. 

The CAO's use of force overview of events

According to police, at around 12:56 p.m. on June 18, 2024, officers with SLMPD were patrolling in unmarked police cars in the Baden neighborhood when they noticed a silver Mazda SUV that had been stolen in St. Louis County. Wilkins was the driver of the Mazda.

Police followed Wilkins and his passenger, a 16-year-old boy, to the Penrose neighborhood, where a 17-year-old girl was picked up in the car.

At around 1:03 p.m., police say they then activated their lights and sirens to pull the car over at Athlone Avenue and Penrose Street, but the Mazda did not stop. Other police cars then placed spike strips to slow down the speeding Mazda.

Police say Wilkins opened the driver's door on Margaretta Avenue, but quickly shut the door and continued driving. At this time, an officer in the lead car said Wilkins had a gun in his hand, and later said he had a gun with a flashlight attached.

Entering the Ville neighborhood, at the 4200 block of St. Louis Avenue, the three people inside the Mazda left while the car was still moving. The 17-year-old was then arrested.

The 16-year-old ran down St. Louis Avenue, ran in between homes, where he met an officer on Maffitt Avenue, who told him to drop his gun. He was then arrested.

Wilkins ran in the same direction as the 16-year-old on St. Louis Avenue, then turned into a driveway and then an alleyway, where he met an officer who began to chase him.

On the police body camera, the officer chasing Wilkins is heard yelling expletives at Wilkins, saying,  Get on the f-ing ground now. Drop that f-ing gun. Drop that f-ing gun. 

The officer fired multiple shots, with three hitting Wilkins. Wilkins falls to the ground, where he is then handcuffed.

The shots were fired at 1:12 p.m., around five seconds after the officer began to chase Wilkins.

The prosecutor's office says police found a 10mm Glock with a flashlight attached in Wilkins back pants pocket, a black cell phone near his right hand and a backpack. The gun was not loaded at the time.

Three magazines were found, police say, including one with 10mm bullets from Wilkins' backpack. The slide was not attached to the gun when it was removed from Wilkins' pocket, but police say it is unclear if it became detached when he fell or had been detached.

The National Integrated Ballistics Information Network said the Glock recovered matches with shots that were fired a day prior.

Officer's statement to investigators

The officer who shot Wilkins was interviewed by the SLMPD Force Investigation Unit nine days after the shooting. Prosecutors released a transcript of a statement made by the officer:

 [Emeshyon Wilkins] then turns from me and starts to run south back toward the direction where [other officers in pursuit] are supposed to be, and as I run through this vacant backyard, I give him commands to drop the gun. He is not dropping the gun. I fear, as he gets [inaudible], he is going to be cornered by [the other officers in pursuit], and that he's going to be cornered. He's gonna be in the low and ready, and he is either going to shoot at them or turn back around and kind of shoot at me. For my safety and the safety of the other detectives who were on the end of that gangway he was running towards, and that's when I fired three shots. 

CAO explains its findings

The CAO ended its overview by explaining its findings.

 We considered the totality of the evidence, including video, witness statements, and physical and forensic evidence. The officers had reasonable suspicion to stop, detain, or arrest the suspects and continue an investigation into the incident. All of the officers involved in this incident were aware that Mr. Wilkins was armed, and in fact, he and the other male passenger had firearms in their possession. The officer who was in direct pursuit of Mr. Wilkins stated that he saw a gun in Mr. Wilkins' hand during the pursuit. The officer was aware that there were other officers in the immediate vicinity working to apprehend Mr. Wilkins and the male passenger. The officer stated that he believed Mr. Wilkins could use a deadly weapon against himself or the other officers nearby.

 In conducting our analysis, we are required to consider the totality of the circumstances and consider the reasonableness of the officer's actions from the perspective of the officer at the time that the decision to use lethal force was made. To support a criminal charge, we would be required to conclude beyond a reasonable doubt that the officer's decision to use lethal force was objectively unreasonable. Based on our comprehensive review of the FIU investigation, there is not sufficient evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the officer's decision to use lethal force in the defense of others was objectively unreasonable. 

Wilkins' parents have filed a lawsuit in federal court in May 2025 against the city of St. Louis, the St. Louis Board of Police Commissioners and the officer who shot him. A trial date for the lawsuit has not yet been set.