ELKHART, Ind. -- Body camera footage of a deadly officer-involved shooting that led to the death of a teenager in Elkhart has been released.

The Elkhart Police Department published the footage connected to the death of 17-year-old Bryan Ramirez Gomez in February.

Previous investigations determined that officer Nicholas Ragsdale noticed a car near the High Dive Park pavilion at about 1:30 a.m. in the morning, well after the park's closing time. Backup was called to the scene, including officer Thomas Breneman. While interviewing the vehicle's occupants, Ragsdale noticed the smell of alcohol. Once backup arrived, they began removing individuals from the car.

Investigators say Ramirez Gomez exited the vehicle and fired a weapon at Breneman. Ragsdale and Breneman returned fire; Ramirez Gomez then died. A handgun was found near his body.

PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT THE VIDEO BELOW CONTAINS EXPLICIT LANGUAGE AND OTHER POTENTIALLY DISTURBING OR UPSETTING CONTENT

In a statement, interim chief Andy Whitmyer said the following: 

I want to reiterate my appreciation for the thorough and independent review conducted by the Elkhart County Homicide Unit. I also want to thank the Elkhart County Prosecutor’s Office for releasing its detailed findings from that investigation.

This incident resulted in the loss of a life, and we recognize the profound impact it has had on everyone involved, including his loved ones, Officers Ragsdale and Breneman, their families, the police department, and our community. After a thorough and independent investigation, it was determined that these officers acted lawfully and in self-defense when confronted by immediate deadly force. While no one wants an encounter to end this way, these officers took appropriate actions in a very difficult and rapidly evolving situation to defend their own lives and protect other people at the scene. 

These officers acted quickly and in accordance with their extensive training. We remain grateful that our officers were able to protect themselves and others during an extraordinarily dangerous situation.

Elkhart mayor Rod Roberson offered the following at a press conference:

I made a commitment that, when legally possible, the city would release the body camera footage so our community could see it for themselves. Today, we are fulfilling that commitment. Additionally, we received multiple APRA requests for the body cam footage which legally obligated us to release the footage.

The videos you have seen were a critical part of the Elkhart County Homicide Unit's investigation and the Prosecutor's review of this incident. After examining the body camera footage, witness statements, forensic evidence, and the totality of the investigation, the Prosecutor’s Office concluded that our officers acted within the law. The evidence also demonstrates that our officers responded in accordance to their training during an encounter that unfolded in a matter of three seconds.

They were forced to make life-or-death decisions in an extremely dangerous situation. We are grateful that Officer Ragsdale and Officer Breneman survived and that no additional lives were lost that morning.

A 17-year-old lost his life that morning and because of his age I can’t publicly state his name. No matter the circumstances that led up to that moment, an Elkhart family is now grieving the permanent loss of their son, brother, and grandson. We acknowledge that pain, and we extend our deepest, most sincere condolences to his family during this time of immense sorrow.

Before this public release, the video footage was privately shown to the family and their representatives so they could process these difficult images first, out of respect for their privacy and dignity. We ask that everyone in our community handles the viewing of this footage with the gravity and the respect that a loss of life demands.

We also want to speak directly to our young people. To watch a friend die in a sudden, violent encounter is a horrific ordeal that no teenager should ever have to witness. The trauma of that morning will undoubtedly stay with our youths for the rest of their lives. As a community, our focus must be on how we can wrap our arms around these young people and provide them with the mental health support, counseling, and grace they need to process this trauma.

Any loss of young life in Elkhart is a loss that we all feel deeply. While this criminal investigation has officially concluded, our commitment to working with community leaders, faith groups, and youth advocates to prevent future tragedies remains our highest priority.