New Video Footage Shows GR Cop Who Almost Shot Breonna Taylor’s Cousin

Newly released bodycam footage shows the moments immediately after a Grand Rapids Police Department Officer nearly shot Breonna Taylor's cousin in December of 2021.

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The bodycam video, obtained by WZZM 13 in Grand Rapids through a Freedom Of Information Request, shows GRPD Officer Greg Bauer following a negligent discharge of his weapon.

The weapon was fired during a pursuit of Daevionne Smith. Smith was falsely identified by police as driving a stolen vehicle. The pursuit began after Smith exited his father's home on the evening of December 9th.

In the video, Bauer can be heard saying:

That was me. That was me. I tripped...Let them know it was me. F***

The officer was later charged with careless discharge of a firearm resulting in property damage as the discharged bullet struck the residence. This offense is punishable by no more than 90 days in jail and a $100 fine.

Smith in a statement to WZZM 13 says that he was nearly struck in the head by the errant shot:

I just got to seeing movement on my left side. I ran to my right and once I got to five feet of running like a quick, little sprint, I heard a gunshot and when I heard a gunshot, I was like what's going on? What did I do? I thought I was hit by a bullet.

Smith also says that his family narrowly avoided yet another tragedy after the shooting of his cousin Breonna by the police:

It was a mistake, but it could've been a really bad mistake if my life was gone. It would've been a second death from my family because of the police.