Body-cam video shows NYPD response to fed agents' arrest of Columbia student

"The public interest demands transparency and accountability related both to the actions of the Federal officers involved and the assertions made by DHS officials. The nearly 11-minute video shows an anonymous 911 caller on Feb. 26, the day of Aghayeva's arrest, reporting two suspicious men dressed in dark clothes trying to gain entry."

"Columbia Acting President Claire Shipman has said that DHS agents misrepresented that they were police searching for a missing child to enter a Columbia apartment building and temporarily detain one of its students. DHS has said agents identified themselves but has not commented on the missing person allegation."

"Body-cam footage from the viewpoints of two police officers shows them responding to the call just after 6:30 a.m. at W. 121st St. At the scene, police find a Columbia school safety officer and a plainclothes DHS agent, who appears to be wearing a Homeland Security badge around his neck, in the hallway."

NYPD released body-camera footage showing officers responding to a 911 call on February 26 regarding suspicious men at a Columbia University apartment building where student Ellie Aghayeva was arrested by DHS agents. Columbia's acting president claimed DHS agents misrepresented themselves as police searching for a missing child to gain entry, while DHS stated agents identified themselves but did not address the missing person allegation. Democratic lawmakers requested the footage release to ensure transparency and accountability regarding federal officers' actions. The nearly 11-minute video shows plainclothes DHS agents with badges present in the hallway and apartment during the incident.

Read at New York Daily News