KENTWOOD, Mich. — WARNING: The video in the player above may not be suitable for all viewers. Viewer discretion is advised.
Michigan State Police (MSP) released video footage of a man being hit and killed by an unmarked MSP police vehicle Friday.
Samuel Sterling, 25, was putting air in his tires near 52nd Street and Eastern Avenue in Kentwood on the morning of April 17 when he was found by multiple agencies looking for him on felony warrants, troopers said.
When officers approached Sterling, he ran away, police said. It led to a chase.
The release includes footage from two officer-worn body cameras and one MSP cruiser's dash cam.
"In the interest of transparency, the MSP is releasing video from the incident. This video is a representative sample of the compiled video and comes from three police agencies: the MSP, Grand Rapids Police Department and Wyoming Police Department, and includes three body-worn camera videos and one in-car camera video. There are multiple variations of these videos due to the number of officers on-scene, but the videos being released are the most relevant and comprehensive. Redactions have been made to conceal the identity of undercover officers and unaffiliated individuals. Viewer discretion is advised," MSP wrote in a release that included the video footage.
The Michigan State Police member who was driving the vehicle that struck Sterling wasn't wearing a body camera because of his assignment to a federal task force, MSP said. His unmarked vehicle was also not equipped with an in-car camera.
That MSP member remains suspended without pay pending the outcome of the Michigan Attorney General's review and any subsequent criminal proceedings or internal investigation.
That officer's name has not been released because the Michigan State Police Troopers Association contract prohibits the release of a member's name or personnel file unless they are charged with a crime.
The different cameras show Sterling running from police into a Burger King parking in Kentwood, where he was then struck by the unmarked police vehicle.
When officers arrived on foot, you can hear Sterling consistently moaning in pain.
"Where are you hurt?" officers can be heard saying. "My whole body," Sterling can be heard saying through groans.
Multiple officers can be seen putting their hands on him, and he says through moans, "I got no gun, bro...why you hitting me like this?" Officers then handcuffed Sterling.
Officers gathered around Sterling while he was laboring to breathe, searched his pockets and confiscated several items while trying to coach him into breathing consistently.
An officer talking to two firefighters responding to the scene told them to keep the cuffs on Sterling because he "is a wanted, violent felon." The officer on the scene told firefighters Sterling got pinned into the wall by a car.
Sterling was taken to a hospital where he died later that same day.
The cause of death for Sterling was ruled "accidental," county officials told 13 ON YOUR SIDE.
While the cause of death is accidental, this does not mean charges cannot be filed in the case, Kent County's Assistant County Administrator Lori Latham said.
Gatherings have been held for Sterling's loved ones and community members. They've been honoring his life and calling for justice.
Sterling's family was shown the videos privately before they were released to the public.
“Today, for the first time, body cam footage revealing the murder of Samuel Sterling was shown to his family. We were stunned and appalled to see the MSP trooper deliberately drive over a curb - onto a sidewalk - and violently take Samuel’s life by striking him with an unmarked police car. No one person should be able to appoint themselves as judge, jury and executioner, yet deaths from police brutality and excessive force continue to occur too often. We will continue to seek justice for his family and hold accountable those responsible for his death," Attorney Ven Johnson said in a statement.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced in April that they would be reviewing the investigation into his death.
The family of Sterling has also retained civil rights attorney Ben Crump.
Crump's law firm said in a statement they are seeking justice.
"It is unconscionable that Sameul Sterling was run over by a police officer's vehicle in broad daylight. The Michigan State Police officers involved in Samuel's death should be swiftly and thoroughly investigated for this senseless and preventable tragedy," Crump said.
"Samuel's parents will never be able to hold their son again and his own children will grow up without a father. We demand answers and are seeking justice and accountability on behalf of Samuel's family."
Additional security footage of the incident was also released in April.
Michigan Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II said the family and the community deserve answers, accountability and justice.
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