“Body Camera Footage Released in Fatal Shooting of Bay St. Louis Police Officers Branden Estorffe and Sgt. Steven Robin”

– “Body cam footage of deadly Bay St. Louis officer-involved shooting”
– “2022 Bay St. Louis officer-involved shooting footage”.

Accident – Death – Obituary News : BAY ST. LOUIS, Miss. (WLOX) – In a tragic incident that shook the Bay St. Louis community, two police officers, Branden Estorffe and Sgt. Steven Robin, lost their lives in 2022. Seeking answers and closure, WLOX filed a Freedom of Information Act request to obtain any videos and official investigative reports related to the deadly incident. Finally, after 13 long months, the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation has responded, releasing 176 pages of documents and a 2-minute video of body camera footage that sheds light on the events leading up to the shooting that claimed the lives of the two officers and another woman.

According to the recently released documents, on the early morning of December 14, 2022, Branden Estorffe and Sgt. Steven Robin responded to a distress call at Motel 6 in Bay St. Louis. The call came from Amy Anderson, who was accompanied by her 8-year-old daughter and was in desperate need of help. The officers engaged in a conversation with Anderson for over half an hour, initially in her motel room and later at her vehicle. However, what started as an attempt to assist a distressed individual quickly turned deadly.

The body camera footage reveals Estorffe’s plea for help from Child Protective Services just moments before the first shots were fired. He expressed his concern for both Anderson’s mental health and the safety of her child. However, before any assistance could arrive, chaos ensued. Mississippi Public Safety Commissioner Sean Tindell states, “What happened here illustrates just what kind of heroes these two men were, just how quickly these officers can get into a bad situation and how quickly they have to react.”

Within a mere 10 seconds of Estorffe’s reaction, tragedy struck. Estorffe, Sgt. Steven Robin, and Amy Anderson all suffered fatal gunshot wounds. The investigation determined that Anderson, from her SUV, first shot Robin before engaging in a gunfight with Estorffe. Miraculously, the child was unharmed. Tindell commended the officers’ dedication to the child’s safety, stating, “The concern of both officers was the safety and wellbeing of that child, and obviously their intuition was correct, and there’s no doubt in my mind that their efforts saved that child.”

During the subsequent investigation, it was revealed that Anderson had made disturbing statements to her daughter. The child, whose name is redacted, informed investigators that Anderson claimed she was being followed and threatened because she possessed information about a child sex ring. In Estorffe’s body camera video less than 24 hours before the incident, he can be heard relaying Anderson’s delusional claims. Estorffe expressed his belief that Anderson was irrational and unstable, fabricating these ideas out of thin air.

This heartbreaking tragedy highlights the challenges law enforcement faces when dealing with individuals struggling with mental health issues. Tindell emphasizes the need for better support and resources, stating, “We’ve got to do better on that end in making sure that folks that are in this type of crisis get the attention they need, and that their loved ones are protected.” He stresses the urgency of providing timely help, as individuals in crisis not only endanger themselves but also those around them. Tindell calls for increased access to mental health professionals to address these situations effectively.

Branden Estorffe and Sgt. Steven Robin’s ultimate sacrifice serves as a reminder of the importance of comprehensive training for law enforcement officers. However, Tindell believes that everyone can learn from this case. He urges the general public to have respect for law enforcement and to refrain from hasty judgments in such incidents. Tindell encourages patience, allowing investigations to unfold and evidence to come forward. He emphasizes the need to recognize and appreciate the sacrifices made by law enforcement officers every day.

In the documents released by the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation, only Estorffe’s body camera footage was made available to WLOX. Unfortunately, Robin’s body camera equipment was recharging at the time of the deadly incident.

The Bay St. Louis community continues to mourn the loss of these brave officers, Sgt. Steven Robin and Branden Estorffe. Their dedication and selflessness will forever be remembered. Together, we honor their memory and strive to create a safer world for all..

1. “Body cam footage of deadly Bay St. Louis officer-involved shooting”
2. “2022 Bay St. Louis officer-involved shooting footage”.