Alfontish Cockerham, a 23-year-old African American man, was shot and killed by a Chicago police officer on June 20, 2015, at the corner of 71st and Merrill. Police say officers encountered Cockerham with three other men, that he fled and allegedly pointed a gun at officers during the chase, and an officer then fired. Witnesses disputed that account, saying Cockerham was unarmed and had his hands in the air when shot.

The autopsy found two gunshot wounds, including an entry from behind, and listed complications from multiple gunshot wounds as the cause of death; the death was ruled a homicide. Cockerham’s family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the City of Chicago and the officers involved. The suit highlighted discrepancies between the police account and the autopsy; after a two-week jury trial, a Cook County jury awarded the family $1.18 million.

The shooting prompted community calls for transparency and for release of security camera footage said to have captured the incident, and it remained a flashpoint in debates over police use of force and accountability. Did anyone witness what happened at 71st and Merrill that night or have information about the security footage?