Printis Smith WC Consulting & Communications

Now, the Milwaukee police union and Smith's family disagree about how the shooting unfolded.

An attorney hired by Smith’s family says the body camera video does not support Milwaukee police’s version of the fatal shooting that happened here, but the Milwaukee police union is pushing back, saying the officer’s actions were justified.

“Don’t paint a narrative that’s inaccurate, because I’ve seen the body camera and that’s not what it depicts,” said Alex Ayala, president of the Milwaukee Police Association.

The body camera video is at the center of this dispute.

The Milwaukee Police Association (MPA) says it shows why officers opened fire.

Smith’s family attorney says it raises more questions about the officers’ actions.

“It’s completely different than the police department’s recollection of what took place on Tuesday was,” said B’Ivory LaMarr, an attorney representing Smith’s family. 

Last Tuesday, Milwaukee officers attempted to pull over a car wanted in connection to a case in Glendale.

“During the foot pursuit, the officers give command to stop, lay down, you know, they’re under arrest,” said Ayala.

Ayala says after a short physical struggle, shots are fired.

CBS 58

“Clear as day, the suspect is laying on the ground with a gun in his hand and you clearly see the suspect's finger is pulled all the way back on the gun,” said Ayala.

LaMarr says family members who viewed the body camera did not see Smith fire at the officer.

“At no point did they see Printis engage in gunfire with the officer,” said LaMarr.

In a statement following the shooting, Milwaukee police wrote the officer was transported to a local hospital for a non-fatal injury.

Ayala says it was a gunshot wound to the officer’s leg.

“I saw the injury myself. When I met the officer, he showed it to me,” said Ayala.

Ayala says the body camera video shows an armed suspect and justifies the officer’s use of deadly force.

“It’s hard for me to understand why the attorney, who has not seen the video, is making those comments,” said Ayala.

Meanwhile, Smith's family is demanding answers.

“Public deserves to have full transparency,” said LaMarr.

According to department policy, Milwaukee police have 15 days to release the body camera video of the fatal shooting.

You can read Attorney LaMarr's statement below in full:

"While counsel has not yet been provided an opportunity to independently review the body-camera footage, Printis Smith’s parents have viewed it firsthand. They have every right to describe what they saw, express their opinion about the killing of their son, and raise questions about whether deadly force was necessary at the moment it was used.

It is also noteworthy that the public narrative continues to evolve. Initial reports characterized this incident as an “exchange of gunfire” or “shootout,” creating the clear inference that Printis shot the officer. Yet the Police Association’s latest statement now describes a close-range physical struggle and says Printis had his finger engaging or pulling the trigger. That distinction matters. If the evidence is as definitive as suggested, there should be no need for shifting characterizations or competing interpretations.

We have never denied that Printis possessed a firearm. The critical question is what he was doing at the precise moment deadly force was used. The Police Union is entitled to their interpretation of the footage, just as Printis’s parents are entitled to theirs. The public should not have to choose between competing characterizations. The family demands the immediate release of the body-camera footage and let the evidence speak for itself."