A shocking new video has been released showing the moment Florida police dragged a seriously wounded elderly man into an elevator after shooting him dead in 2022.
The chilling clip, obtained by Local 10, shows Hollywood cops dragging David Cottes, 69, into elevators after he asked neighbors to call 911 after he thought a burglary was underway at his apartment building.
The incident happened around 8 a.m. on February 26, 2022. Cottes had his licensed firearm with him when he was shot by responding officers.
After being shot as officers reached the 14th floor of the Alexandra Towers, Cottes, the president of the Condominium Authority, was taken to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries a little over three weeks later.
This is the moment David Cotte, 69, was dragged into an elevator by officers in Hollywood, Florida. The New York native was shot dead by officers
Speaking to Local 10, after viewing the footage, Christina Cottes, the victim’s daughter, said: “He said someone was at his apartment, at his condo, he’s coming out with his authorized gun and everything.”
Describing her father as her “best friend,” she asked, “Why would they treat him like that or drag him into an elevator when they already handcuffed him behind his back? He’s wounded.”
Christina said her family were barred by police from visiting Cottes at Memorial Regional Hospital before his death.
An investigator hired by the von Cottes family, Victor Elbeze, said: “It’s been a year waiting for us to have forensic and ballistic evidence because they want to see who shot first.”
The incident is still under investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
At the time of the incident, neighbors of Cotte’s confirmed to Local 10 that the victim was authorized to carry a gun.
In a video posted to social media from the time, a neighbor was horrified to discover it was Cottes, who was injured.
In the comments below Cotte’s obituary, his neighbors wrote, “We were shocked to learn of this… We couldn’t even imagine what had happened… The Dave we knew was a gentle soul… May his memory be a blessing.” .’
Cottes, who was president of the housing association, asked neighbors to call 911 as he believed a burglary was taking place
Cottes with his daughter Christina. Describing her father as her “best friend,” she asked, “Why would they treat him like that or drag him into an elevator when they already handcuffed him behind his back? he is wounded’
Cottes, a Bronx native and Navy veteran, retired in 2014
Cottes was predeceased by his wife Roseanne, the couple are shown together here in 2014
The shooting was described as “isolated” at the time. All references to the shooting have been removed from the Hollywood Police Department’s Facebook page
On the day of the shooting, the Hollywood Police Department said in a statement that officers shot dead a gunman inside the building but did not provide the identity. The press release said no officers were injured in the incident.
The shooting was described as “isolated” at the time. All references to the shooting have been removed from the Hollywood Police Department’s Facebook page.
The day after the shooting, the Miami Herald reported that the man who was shot by police was the same who called 911. The newspaper said in its report that officers “attended” to the wounded man’s injuries before he was taken to the hospital.
According to his obituary, Cottes was a Bronx native of New York City, a Navy veteran, and Director of Consumer Affairs at the New York City Department of Treasury.
He retired in 2014 and devoted himself to his dogs Merlot and Romeo while also developing an interest in food, travel, boating and a healthy lifestyle. He left behind his daughter, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
The tribute mentions that Cottes was deceased by his wife Rosanne.