Graphic video captures moment cops drag man, 69, into elevator after shooting him

Nearly a year after a Florida man was shot by police amid an ongoing investigation with little answers provided, newly released footage of their treatment of him has only raised more questions.

(Video: WPLG)

On Feb. 26, 2022, 69-year-old David Cottes reportedly asked his neighbors to call the police to come to the Hollywood, Florida condominium where they lived because he thought someone was breaking into his home. When law enforcement arrived, they found the condo board president in the hall with his own firearm, and shots were fired.

Moments later, as seen in surveillance footage obtained by WPLG, Cottes can be seen handcuffed on the floor with a wound to his chest before an officer drags him by his feet onto the elevator.

“He said someone was in his apartment, in his condo,” the man’s daughter Christina Cottes told the outlet, “he comes out with his gun, licensed to carry and everything.

When she was shown the dramatic footage, the mother of three broke down in tears and expressed he was “literally my best friend.”

Cottes would go on to die from the wounds suffered on March 23, 2022. His obituary stated that he was a native of Bronx, NY, a veteran of the United States Navy and one-time Director for Consumer Affairs for the New York City Department of Finance.

“He’s asking for police to help,” his daughter went on. “When police come to help, my dad is dead.”

According to the family, it was more than 30 minutes before Cottes received any medical help, and in the video technicians from Hollywood Fire Rescue could be seen examining the injuries while still on the floor of the elevator.

Private investigator Victor Elbeze spoke with WPLG and said, “It’s been a year waiting for forensic and ballistics (evidence) because they want to see who shot first.”

Additional footage taken from a neighbor depicted a reaction to Cottes being placed into the back of an ambulance as a voice could be heard exclaiming, “Oh my God, it’s David!”

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the agency investigating the shooting, told the outlet that the investigation remains active and open and would offer no further comment.

Meanwhile, the victim’s daughter, still desperate for answers, expressed how in the weeks that her father remained hospitalized before his death, visitation rights were denied by the police and his account of the story was never heard by the family.

On Monday, the social media account of Christina Cottes posted a reminder of who her father was and what happened before seeking help from the public in drawing attention to the story, “Hoping to get attention on this. Almost a year, still no answers. HOLLYWOOD police DOES NTOT USE BODY CAMS. Video of my father shot, handcuffed behind his back, and being dragged into elevator. Please help me bring to public light.”

 

Kevin Haggerty

Comment

We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.

Latest Articles