Body cam video shows deputies interact with suspect in shooting
By Daisy Kershaw
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CINCINNATI (WLWT) — New footage has been released in the aftermath of three students being shot and killed in Mt. Washington.
Body camera footage shows the interaction between Hamilton County sheriff’s deputies and the suspected shooter, Samuel Ericksen, weeks before the deadly shooting.
Deputies paid him a visit after one of those victims, Eden Adugna, called 911, describing troubling text messages Ericksen sent to her, wanting to get him professional help.
Police believe Ericksen had a romantic interest in one of the victims.
He died after police say he shot all three victims and then himself.
That 911 call prompted Hamilton County deputies to respond to Ericksen’s home for a wellness check in Anderson Township.
The interaction took place on Aug. 8 and on Aug. 31, 23 days later, police say Ericksen killed sisters Eden and Feven Adugna and their friend Bemnet Deresse.
The interaction deputies had with him was calm but also chilling, with what happened weeks later.
Deputies asked Ericksen’s mom about his mental health, talking to her about the content of the messages.
Ericksen eventually arrived home, where he was met with deputies who had a roughly hour-long conversation with him while waiting for the Mobile Crisis Team to come assess him.
In that time, he admitted to having a gun in his bedroom that he bought. His parents were seen in the footage taking the gun away from him.
We also reviewed the footage of the Mobile Crisis team counselor who runs Ericksen through questions. He told them he was not suicidal or homicidal.
We’re told deputies did not take any guns.
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