STREAM EXCLUSIVE ORIGINALS

Audio Recording Reveals Final Moments Before Police Shot Pregnant Charleena Lyles

The officers were seemingly aware of her mental health issues.

Seattle police have released the audio recording of the interaction between 30-year-old mother Charleena Lyles and officers which resulted in her death. According to the Seattle Times, the audio file, which includes recordings from dashboard cameras in two patrol cars, is redacted in certain areas. 

When the two responding officers arrive on the scene, they can be heard talking about previous encounters with Lyles and her mental health.

One officer says that Lyles was “talking all crazy about how the officers weren’t gonna leave” and the other asks if Lyles has a “mental precaution on her.” The officer responds that she has an officer-safety precaution on file.

In addition to being aware of her mental health condition, the officers knew she had several children present in the home.

“Wait, is this the one with, like, the three kids?” one officer asks as they enter the building.

“Yeah,” the other officer responds. “Yeah, so this gal is the one who was making all the [inaudible] statements about how her and her daughter were gonna turn into wolves.”

Once officers reach the door, a woman’s voice is heard — presumably Lyles — and she allows the police to enter as she explains the alleged burglary. The officers ask her what has been taken and she begins to list certain items that are missing.

Moments later, one of the officer reports she has a knife and Lyles is heard in the background.

“Get back! Get back!” the officers yell and then they unload their weapons.  

Dash cam footage of the June 18 shooting as well as surveillance footage from the apartment building was also released.  

Latest News

Subscribe for BET Updates

Provide your email address to receive our newsletter.


By clicking Subscribe, you confirm that you have read and agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge our Privacy Policy. You also agree to receive marketing communications, updates, special offers (including partner offers) and other information from BET and the Paramount family of companies. You understand that you can unsubscribe at any time.