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No Decision Yet On Release Of Burlington Police Body Camera Footage Of Fatal Shooting

United States Geological Survey
Great River Bridge in Burlington, IA in 1997.

After a closed session meeting, the Iowa Public Information Board voted to wait until at least September to decide whether to release material related to the police shooting death of a Burlington woman.

In early January, Burlington police officer Jesse Hill accidentally killed 34-year-old Autumn Steele when answering a domestic violence call.

Steele’s dog attacked Hill. He fired his weapon attempting to hit the animal. But instead Officer Hill fatally shot Steele in the chest.

Critics, including Steele’s mother, accuse the city of Burlington being overly secretive. The city says it must keep investigative materials confidential.

The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation cleared Hill of any wrongdoing in March. The officer has been reinstated with Burlington police. But the DCI has kept materials related to the investigation of Steele's death sealed—including footage from Hill’s body camera.

Iowa Public Information Board member Jo Martin said after the closed session she wants to be able to view the complete footage from Hill’s body camera during the next meeting.