Bodycam videos show Orlando police officer fatally shoot man seated in parked car in downtown

ORLANDO, Fla. — The Orlando Police Department on Wednesday morning released several body-worn camera videos of the deadly shooting of a 26-year-old man that happened earlier this month in downtown Orlando.

>>> Derek Diaz’s family describes watching video of his downtown Orlando shooting death <<<

Police said three officers on bicycles approached Derek Diaz on July 3 at East Jefferson Street and North Orange Avenue as he was sitting in his parked car because they suspected him of doing drugs. Police shot him one minute into their interaction.

In the videos released Wednesday, Orlando police Officer Jose Velez is heard ordering Diaz to turn off his car.

Video: Bodycam videos show Orlando police officer fatally shoot man seated in parked car in downtown The Orlando Police Department on Wednesday morning released several body-worn camera videos of the deadly shooting of a 26-year-old man that happened earlier th (WFTV)

Velez then instructs Diaz to hand him an item wrapped in a crumpled piece of aluminum foil and another item.

Read: Derek Diaz’s family holds vigil and demands answers from OPD after an officer-involved shooting

“Give me that, give me the other one and put your hands on the steering wheel right now,” he said. “Don’t move.”

The officer then opens the car door and shouts, “Put your hands on the steering wheel. Put your hands on the steering wheel,” as Diaz reaches toward the car’s center console with his right hand.

Velez shoots Diaz before running away from the vehicle.

Diaz can be heard shouting out twice before one of the officers asks his fellow officers, “Are you guys good? Did you shoot?”

Read: ‘Release the video’: Ben Crump & family of man shot, killed at Orlando traffic stop seek answers

Velez then says, “Yeah, I did.”

The officers pulled Diaz out of the car and began performing CPR on him, but he died at a hospital.

Police said Velez shot Diaz because he thought he was reaching for a gun. They later determined that Diaz had thrown drugs out of the window after being shot, but they have not specified what type of drugs they were.

No weapons were found in the car.

The tweet below includes edited video of the shooting; viewer discretion is advised as the material is graphic:

Police uploaded each of the officer’s bodycam videos to the agency’s YouTube page, which you can access by clicking here.

Orlando police Chief Eric Smith provided Channel 9 with a statement Wednesday, saying in part:

“Our officers proactively patrol to remove illegal drugs and crime guns off our streets. At the intersection of this incident, there were 431 incidents in the last 18 months. Earlier this morning, the Orlando Police Department met with the Diaz family and their attorney to show them the body worn camera video before it was released publicly. I express my sincere condolences to the Diaz family on the loss of their loved one. We understand the need for answers. Maintaining the integrity of the investigation process is also needed so that the facts are provided fairly and transparently. An investigation not only involves body worn camera video of the incident but also includes the collection of witness testimony, evidence and other materials.”

Read: Police identify man killed in downtown Orlando officer-involved shooting

The agency said it is cooperating with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement as it investigates the shooting.

Velez, who has been employed by the agency for three years, will be on paid administrative leave during the investigation, which is standard protocol.

Diaz’s relatives and their attorney, Natalie Jackson, spoke publicly after watching the video. Click here to read about that.

Watch Channel 9 Eyewitness News for live updates to this developing story.

See a map of the shooting scene below:

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Video: Family searches for answers after man shot, killed by police in downtown Orlando Derek Diaz' family is pleading with the Orlando Police Department to release body camera footage from the moment he was shot and killed in downtown Orlando. (Sam Martello, WFTV.com)

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Family of Derek Diaz hold vigil in Orlando

Video: Police identify man killed in downtown Orlando officer-involved shooting Orlando police said an officer shot and killed a man early Monday morning in downtown Orlando. (Sam Martello, WFTV.com)

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Officer-involved shooting in Orlando Orlando police said the deadly shooting happened at Orange Avenue and Jefferson Street. (WFTV Staff)

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