At the top of the news, you saw the aftermath of Jessie Escobar's killing angry villagers, a grief stricken mother, and a traumatized little girl. But how did a day by the river turn deadly for Escobar? Well, while officer Juan Morales' account says one thing, the surveillance footage shows a play-by-play of what really happened. It shows Escobar happily greeting the men, and everything that occurred up until the bullet pierced his chest. Jules Vasquez retells the events frame-by-frame. Here is that story.
At 7:06 according to the store's security camera clock, PC Juan Carlos Morales and BDF Soldiers Cpl. Alcoser and Pte. Valencia arrived at Branch Mouth Stop and Shop.
At 7:14 Jessie Escobar, his wife, child and others can be seen walking to and entering the store.
Jessie Escobar even greets one of the BDF men. He's relaxed - going to buy some snacks for his kids after a day down by the river.
PC Morales does appear to inform the men of their masks and all appear to adjust or place their masks properly on their faces.
So far the video surveillance footage matches with PC Morales's statement. However, where the discrepancies begin is where PC Morales states he proceeded to detain the men.
At some point there is an exchange of words, PC Morales's statement says the men informed him that "they don't care about police and bdf" and "no one can do them anything". There isn't any audio to confirm if these statements were uttered.
What is clear however, is that one of these men utters something that incenses PC Morales, and he responds by gripping his baton, threatening to swing it and saying "weh you di seh now?! I wah knockout uno lee (expletive)".
There is no clear statement recorded on the audio of intent to detain or arrest the men. and contrary to PC Morales's Statement, none of the men appear to throw bottles at him. The only gesture captured on camera is one of self defense as the men raise their arms expecting to be hit with PC Morales's baton.
Following this exchange, one of the soldiers, identified as Private Valencia brings his rifle from behind his back and cocks it.
PC Morales's statement says he drew back and tried to fire a warning shot but the revolver did not fire. However, the video and audio clearly show a shot being fired into the air, at the moment Jessie Escobar exits the store. PC Morales's Baton can also be seen striking one of the men in the face.
It is at this point in PC Morales's Statement that Jessie Escobar Supposedly uttered "I wah tek weh your gun" there is no audio of any such statement and it does not appear as though Jessie Escobar made any attempt to reach for the rifle.
Escobar instead seems to be trying to defuse the situation - and protect his friends on both sides of the dispute. PC Morales exclaims "move frah yah, I wah bus you lee (expletive) you knoh" and fires a shot into the ground near Escobar's feet. Simultaneously it appears The BDF soldier fires his rifle at Escobar's chest, expelling a vapour of blood above his child's head, and he slumps to the ground, dead.
In his statement PC Morales says he immediately made checks to assess Escobar's state following the incident. But, on the video, his first words following the shooting are "Move from...ya! Next Boxer! Next Boxer!"
One of the men can be heard shouting "Bwai, you shoot Jessie!"
One of the storekeepers takes Jessie Escobar's daughter inside and PC Morales orders the rest of men to the ground and orders the store to close.
PC Morales appears to make a call, and Jessie Escobar's wife can be heard crying. She is the only one who makes checks to Jessie Escobar's Body. At no point do any of the men appear to throw pints at the police or BDFs Morales claimed in his statement.
