Family and Attorneys View Body Cam Video in Police Shooting Death of Oscar Herrera

Romanucci & Blandin, LLC  along with the family of Oscar Herrera, today viewed body camera footage from the Hillsdale, Michigan County Sheriff’s Department, after Mr. Herrera was shot and killed by a deputy on April 28, 2021.  Initial reports said deputies were called to Mr. Herrera’s home in Reading Township after complaints about his dog, which was later shot and killed by a deputy. 32-year-old Herrera was emotionally distraught about the death of his dog, and police say Mr. Herrera confronted the deputy while holding a knife and was shot and killed at the scene.  The video footage shown privately today shows that deadly encounter. 

Officials initially denied access to the video but later agreed to a private viewing for the family. Officials say they do not plan to make the video available to the public at this time, but the family and attorneys continue to press for its public release so there can be full transparency and accountability. 

“Oscar Herrera should be alive today. The Hillsdale County Sheriff’s office took a first step towards transparency when it agreed to show the family the video today. Oscar’s family has suffered tremendously over the past several weeks as they’ve waited for details of what happened, with little help from law enforcement. The family is concerned and disappointed that when Oscar was clearly in emotional distress about the death of his dog and his best friend, that the deputy did not show compassion, and instead fired fatal shots that killed him. Now that the family has seen the video, they can start to process this enormous loss.” said Attorney Ian Fallon, Romanucci & Blandin, LLC.   

Mr. Herrera’s family continues to grieve his loss. After viewing the body camera footage, they ask for the media to respect their privacy as they mourn.