ST. LOUIS — Body-worn camera footage released by the attorney for Shaina Wilkins shows a St. Louis police officer fatally shooting her 17-year-old son, Emeshyon Wilkins, in the back of the head on June 18, 2024, as he ran from officers. The footage contradicts an earlier police statement that said Emeshyon Wilkins had pointed a gun at officers, and the video does not show him holding or pointing a weapon.

The encounter began when detectives attempted to stop an SUV that had been reported stolen, according to police. After a brief pursuit, Emeshyon Wilkins ran from the vehicle. An officer can be heard shouting at him to get on the ground and to drop a gun before firing. One of four shots struck him in the back of the head, killing him. He had celebrated his 17th birthday just weeks earlier.

Authorities initially told Shaina Wilkins that her son had turned and pointed a gun. According to a lawsuit filed by the family, a firearm later found in Emeshyon Wilkins's pocket was disassembled and incapable of being fired. Wilkins, who was 17 years old when Emeshyon was born, said, "We kind of grew up together." "They just treated him so badly," she said.

It took more than a year to obtain the body camera footage. Attorney Albert Watkins said, "We had to fight for it." He added, "Now we see why they did not want it released." According to Watkins, Emeshyon Wilkins had saved money from working at McDonald's and bought the SUV from someone in his neighborhood, unaware it had been reported stolen.

"It's been over two years since my son died, and I just got the autopsy and medical records," Wilkins said. On March 18, 2026, St. Louis police Detective Brett Carlson pleaded the Fifth and refused to answer nearly all questions during a deposition that lasted just over an hour, according to a deposition transcript. Carlson confirmed he was subpoenaed and represented by the Missouri Attorney General's Office but declined to address what happened during the encounter, whether Emeshyon Wilkins had a gun, whether department policies were followed, or questions about his training and disciplinary history.

The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department said, "Information provided by a third-party to investigators in the immediate aftermath of the incident was not consistent with the actual events or what was initially shared with the community." The department also said, "In this case, an earlier review of body-worn camera footage would have provided greater clarity than what was available in the initial moments following the incident." It added, "Internal protocols were updated to better position the SLMPD to provide accurate and timely information. A member of the Department's body-worn camera unit now responds directly to the scene so that footage can be reviewed by investigating commanders before detailed public accounts are provided."

The St. Louis Circuit Attorney's Office is reviewing the case to determine whether criminal charges are warranted. The officer involved remains on desk duty with pay.