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East Lansing publishes footage of officer-involved shooting

May 15, 2026
<p>Isaiah Kirby, an MSU senior, died in an officer-related shooting in April. Photo courtesy of Kirby family.</p>

Isaiah Kirby, an MSU senior, died in an officer-related shooting in April. Photo courtesy of Kirby family.

Footage of the officer-involved shooting of Michigan State University senior Isaiah Kirby was released to the public on Friday. This comes after weeks of pressure from the Kirby family and others on the police for transparency.

Late Friday afternoon, the East Lansing Police Department released a 22-minute narrated video, including witness cellphone footage, body-worn and fleet footage, after sharing “unredacted footage” with the Kirby family earlier in the day.

“Following redactions being made as appropriate under law this week, the narrated video and redacted body-worn and fleet footage is now available on the City of East Lansing website at https://www.cityofeastlansing.com/OISApril2026,” the May 15 press release read.

In addition to this footage, a video of Kirby is available to view on the City of East Lansing's website, taken by a witness in a parking lot near the scene moments before the shooting occurred.

The footage shows both the shooting of Kirby and aid being rendered to the stabbing victim. Due to the graphic nature of the images, viewer discretion is advised.

“The ELPD does not have any footage of the actual stabbing incident from local businesses or any material from any of the other responding agencies, including, but not limited to the Michigan State Police,” the press release continued.

MSP continues to conduct its investigation into the incident.

The fatal officer-involved shooting occurred near the intersection of Abbot and Lake Lansing roads on April 15. The incident occurred after the stabbing of Douglas Mielock, 63. At the scene, Kirby ran towards police, who said he did not follow orders to drop the knife in his hand.

The Kirby family released a statement a few hours after the footage was released, denouncing the use of what they referred to as deadly force by ELPD in the incident.

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