Thread by @NBCNews

SPECIAL REPORT: Authorities obscured the last four seconds of a 19-year-old’s life in publicly released videos.

New footage shows Christian Hall had his hands up when Pennsylvania State Police killed him.

Published in partnership with @SpotlightPA.

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@SpotlightPA A Chinese American teenager who was fatally shot by Pennsylvania State Police last year had his hands in the air when troopers opened fire, new videos show, prompting calls for an independent investigation.

@SpotlightPA Christian Hall, who had been diagnosed with depression, was standing on the ledge of an overpass in northeastern PA when troopers arrived.

They tried to persuade him to get down, but when they saw he had a gun — later determined to be a realistic pellet gun — they backed away.

@SpotlightPA Video previously released by the Monroe County district attorney shows Hall raising his hands in the air, with the gun in one hand, after a trooper fired bullets that struck the bridge.

But the final seconds before he was killed were blurred by authorities.

@SpotlightPA The full version of the videos — obtained by @SpotlightPA and @NBCNews from Hall’s parents, whose lawyer received them through a subpoena — shows that Hall’s hands were still in the air, the gun in one hand, as two troopers fired a series of shots and he crumpled to the ground.

@SpotlightPA State Police troopers from outside the local barracks investigated the killing and turned the findings over to the Monroe County district attorney, who ruled it justified, saying the lives of the troopers on scene were in danger.

@SpotlightPA Michael Mancuso, an assistant district attorney, called Hall’s death a “classic suicide by cop scenario” at a news conference in March.

But the fatal shooting drew protests from activists who questioned why State Police had opened fire on a teenager who appeared to be suicidal.

@SpotlightPA Protesters also raised concerns about whether Monroe County District Attorney E. David Christine Jr. could make an unbiased call given that his office regularly works with troopers to build cases.

@SpotlightPA Hall’s parents have begun the process of suing the two troopers who shot their son (the troopers’ names have not been released).

They say they released the full videos because they believe Hall’s death merits more scrutiny, and hope to spark fresh calls for an independent review

@SpotlightPA “I would like to see an unbiased investigation take place,” says Gareth Hall, Christian’s father. “I personally would like to see those police officers brought up on charges."

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@SpotlightPA In response to questions and an interview request, Christine’s office released a statement saying it stood by its finding that the shooting was justified.

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@SpotlightPA If you or someone you know is in crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255, text HOME to 741741 or visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for additional resources.