October 17, 2022 – The Decatur Police Department released the dash and body cam footage of the officer-involved shooting on October 12th. That shooting left 2 officers wounded and the suspect dead.
Decatur Police Chief Shane Brandel gave a warning before viewing the footage. “This is pretty graphic. This is the real-life scenario that our officers face unfortunately too often nowadays.”
Police dashboard and body cam footage can be found HERE. **Warning that the footage is graphic and contains language.**
Brandel said that the delay in releasing the footage was to ensure that the officers involved were able to view the footage. By law, officers involved in a shooting are not able to view footage until they complete their reports. That was delayed due to two of the officers being injured and hospitalized. In addition, the delay allowed the officer’s family and the family of the suspect to view the footage. “I have strived throughout this process to remain transparent and I want the public to see this. The video speaks for itself,” Brandell added.
Decatur Police Officers stopped Jamontey Neal, 32, of Decatur in the 1300 block of E. Walnut on October 12th. According to Brandel, Neal was stopped after an informant gave information to DPD that Neal was in possession of a firearm. Brandel was not able to expand further as the investigation is still ongoing by The Illinois State Police.
In the footage, Neal was ordered to show his hands multiple times after one of the officers witnessed a gun hidden under Neal’s rear end and thigh. Neal refused to comply and officers attempted to remove him from the car. That’s when Neal reached for a second weapon located in the vehicle and fired the first of multiple rounds at the officers at close range. It was only then that the officers returned fire. The footage then shows Neal exiting the vehicle and continuing to fire at the officers.
During the exchange of gunfire, Sgt. Timothy Wittmer, 15-year veteran of DPD, was hit multiple times. He was shot through the hand, which required surgery. Brandell stated that Wittmer may lose a pinkie finger due to the injury. In addition, Wittmer was shot in the foot and in the left posterior. Fortunately, Wittmer had a Ridge Wallet in his back pocket that stopped the bullet. “The wallet literally saved his butt,” Brandell said. Officer Austin Bowman, 2-year veteran of DPD, was hit one time in the lower left abdomen. The injury was described as a through and through and did not hit any vital organs. Brandell said that both officers are doing well and are looking forward to getting back to the job. Also on scene were Officer Ryan Ricker, 2-year veteran of DPD, and Deputy Travis Wolfe, a 10-year veteran of MCSO. All officers are currently on administrative leave as per protocol with an investigation by The Illinois State Police.
Neal, who was also shot multiple times during the exchange, was transported to DMH, where he was pronounced dead.
The officers involved are part of “CAT” or Community Action Team, whose purpose is to removed deadly weapons from the streets. Since May 1st, the 8 officers of CAT, along with the street crimes unit, have nearly 80 firearms.
“There is a lot of conversation in policing about the mentality of a police officer and what it needs to be in modern times.. and it’s a good conversation to have. Ninety-five percent of the time, you want your police officers to be a guardian and protect the community. But five percent of the time, they have to be a warrior in order to survive. I hope the community can see that after viewing these videos,” Brandell said.
