Black Lives Matter, Family Demand Sacramento Police Release Video Of Officer Who Hit A Teenager On Bike

Activists with Sacramento’s Black Lives Matter chapter and the family of a 16-year-old who was hit by a police car last week are calling for the release of any law-enforcement video of the incident.

On July 22, police say the teenager — whose identity Capital Public Radio is not revealing because they are a minor — was stopped in the north Sacramento riding a bike without lights and fled when asked if he had a warrant out for his arrest.

The bicyclist was later hit by a police squad car on Eleanor Avenue near Rio Linda Boulevard. Police say the officer lost control of the vehicle.

"We always thought that the police were supposed to protect our children . . . not hit them with a car,” said Maria Rodriguez, the teen’s aunt.

“If they have nothing to hide show the video," said Patrick Buelna, the family's attorney, at a press conference on Monday outside City Hall.

He says the teen suffered a concussion, lacerations and has a fractured leg.

The department says it is investigating the case, and a police spokesperson says that it is not required to release any footage or audio of the incident.

Family members and BLM also want the name of the officer driving the car to be released, and are calling for his or her firing.

"We just want some accountability. We want some justice for this family,” Buelna said. “We want to confirm everything that our client says happened, happened.”