A U.S. Park Police officer who shot and killed a 17-year-old after entering the vehicle he was driving will not be prosecuted, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.

After a “thorough review” of the incident on March 18, prosecutors stated there was “insufficient evidence” to file charges in the case of Dalaneo Martin’s death.

Officers discovered Martin asleep in what they suspected was a stolen car. An officer entered through the back seat while other officers attempted to detain Martin in the front. Following a physical confrontation, Martin fled the scene with the officer still in the vehicle. The officer inside the car shouted for Martin to stop and release him before firing multiple shots at him. After crashing into a house, Martin was pronounced dead at the scene.

Terra Martin, Dalaneo’s mother, expressed her desire for the officers involved in the shooting to be charged with murder during a news conference earlier this year.

“I can’t eat or sleep; justice needs to be served,” she stated.

On Friday, YSL News attempted to reach her attorney for additional comments on the recent decision.

What did the body camera footage reveal?

In the aftermath of Martin’s death, police body camera footage of the incident was made public.

When responding to reports of a suspicious vehicle, Metropolitan Police officers found Martin asleep behind the wheel of a car reported stolen earlier that month. The engine was running, and the ignition was damaged, police indicated.

Additional officers arrived to assist in detaining Martin. The body camera footage captures officers deliberating on how to remove him from the vehicle.

The officers surrounded the vehicle, entered it, and attempted to restrain Martin. The footage shows one officer falling out of the car as Martin drove away with a Park Police officer still in the back seat.

“Stop man, just let me out! Let me go!” the officer can be heard yelling as Martin continues to drive. “Stop. Stop or I’ll shoot!”

Moments later, the officer fired multiple rounds at Martin’s back, causing the car to veer off the road and crash into a nearby house. The officer then exited the vehicle and attempted CPR on Martin, but he was pronounced dead shortly thereafter.

“Following a meticulous and independent review of the evidence, federal prosecutors determined there was insufficient evidence to establish criminal liability for the United States Park Police Officer in connection with Mr. Martin’s death,” stated the U.S. Attorney’s Office. “Our office is committed to thoroughly investigating any claims of excessive force by law enforcement and will allocate the necessary resources to ensure all allegations of serious civil rights violations are fully examined.”

Family’s response to footage

The medical examiner informed her that Martin, who was a father to a 7-month-old child, had been shot six times.

YSL News is seeking further statements from the U.S. Park Police regarding the incident.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office referred to the shooting footage as “extremely troubling” at that time.