The New York City Police Department released video of 34-year-old Saheed Vassell before he was fatally shot by police.
Vassell was known to both the Brooklyn community and police as being mentally ill; his father said he had bipolar disorder.
The video seems to corroborate three 911 calls about a man fitting Vassell's description approaching people and pointing what appeared to be a silver gun at them. As multiple officers approached him, he took what police called a "shooting stance," leading officers to fire 10 shots.
Vassell was actually carrying a silver pipe attached to a cylinder-shaped object. Locals told reporters Vassell was known for picking up trash off the street and playing with it like toys.
The shooting has led to protests.
Additional reporting by Newsy affiliate CNN.
