Through a public records request, Coconino County Sheriff’s Office released photos and body camera video footage from deputies and detectives who responded to the fatal shooting of Tyler Miller, 51, of Hutchinson, Kan.
Miller was shot and killed by U.S. Forest Service law enforcement officer Krista Kuhns near Briar Patch Inn in Oak Creek Canyon on Jan. 5.
According the report, Kuhns responded at 3:46 p.m. to a car accident a short distance north of the inn. Other agencies began sending units to the scene for the accident.
At 3:47 p.m., she reported encountering a bloodied man walking naked southbound on State Route 89A. The call log repots “shots fired” at 3:50 p.m. and units throughout the area responded, including CCSO.
Miller was taken to Verde Valley Medical Center, where he later died.
Officers on scene turned the investigation over to the FBI because the shooting involved a federal law enforcement officer.
The body camera footage shows CCSO deputies arriving at the scene and documenting the car accident location, the scene of the shooting and the location where Miller apparently removed his clothes, a short distance south of the car crash.
According to an audio transcription, CCSO deputies contacted Miller’s next of kin. The report of CCSO’s contact with Miller’s son reads, “Miller was traveling to Sedona Wellness Center Soul Adventures from Kansas. He reported Miller is going through a separation and has been depressed and acting strange today [Jan. 5] and is worried Miller is suicidal.
“[The son] tracked Miller’s iPhone to Hwy. 89A. Miller sent texts that were A-typical [sic] about god and getting religious.
“[The son] did not believe Miller has slept in a long time.”
The manager at Sedona Soul Adventures declined to comment.
The FBI has not released a statement about the investigation since Jan. 8.
Click here to view a photo gallery from the Jan. 5 Oak Creek Canyon shooting:
Click here to view a body camera video of Coconino County Sheriff’s Sgt. John Jamison on scene:
