Winter Park mayor addresses when body cam footage of wedding reception shooting could be released

WINTER PARK, Fla. — Law enforcement and the family of a man shot and killed by police during a wedding reception in Winter Park disagree over what exactly happened.

Video from body cameras worn by the officers who confronted Daniel Knight, 39, outside the Winter Park Events Center should clear things up. But the family said it has not seen the video.

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Officers said the video has been turned over to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement which is investigating the shooting.

Mayor Phil Anderson said he hasn’t seen the video of what happened.

READ: Family of wedding guest shot, killed by Winter Park police refute department’s account

“When it’s appropriate I’m sure we’ll release it,” Anderson said. “We really want all the families involved to hear and see the truth.”

Legally, the police department doesn’t have to release the footage until the investigation into the incident is closed. But other agencies have done so within days of similar incidents.

READ: Police: Winter Park wedding guest fatally shot by officer shoved people, grabbed woman’s neck

Brevard County released video within a week of two of its deputies being ambushed during an August 2021 traffic stop.

Weeks later, Orlando police released footage within a day of officers being fired upon during a special enforcement operation.

And after outrage following an Orange County deputy-involved shooting, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, our area’s largest agency, created a policy last year to release body camera video within 30 days of an incident.

READ: Family says wedding guest shot and killed by Winter Park police was bride’s uncle

“We think this is a good way to show transparency to the community,” Sheriff John Mina said.

Channel 9 asked if that’s something Winter Park would do, too.

READ: Wedding guest shot, killed by Winter Park police after knocking officer unconscious, police say

“I think putting in really clear cut policies is something we can certainly look at and that we would support,” Anderson said.

Channel 9 also called the city’s acting Police Chief Pam Marcum to ask about this but has not heard back.

Photos: Family of wedding guest shot, killed by Winter Park police refute department’s account

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Knight family news conference The family of the man shot and killed by Winter Park police while attending his niece’s wedding reception is refuting what officers said happened leading up to the shooting. (Nick Papantonis)

Video: Family of wedding guest shot, killed by Winter Park police refute department’s account (Q McCray, WFTV.com)

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