Dashcam video released in death of Alexia Christian

ATLANTA - The Fulton County District Attorney's Office released new video Tuesday of a deadly confrontation between a woman in custody and Atlanta Police.

In April 2015, Atlanta Police were searching for and found a stolen pickup truck on Pryor Street in Downtown Atlanta, when officers said they saw Alexia Christian inside. Police handcuffed and placed Christian in the back of a patrol car. That's when Atlanta Police said Christian pulled out a gun and opened fire from the backseat on the two officers in the front of the car. Police said the two officers jumped out and fired back, hitting Christian. She later died at the hospital. 

In newly released dash-cam video, you can only see the front of the patrol car, but you can hear an exchange of words and gunshots.

Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard said their investigation concluded that Christian pulled one of her hands free of the cuffs and grabbed a gun she had apparently taken from the stolen truck.

Christian's family said because the rear camera in the patrol car was off during the incident,  they are still unsure whether their daughter actually drew a weapon.

Howard said unless police turned on the back seat camera, a recording would not have occurred and said the Atlanta Police Department is making a change in their regulations.

During a news conference Tuesday, Howard said the Fulton County 911 operator failed to inform the Atlanta Police dispatcher that a gun had been reported to be inside of the stolen truck, adding that the Fulton County operator was disciplined.

Howard also said the Atlanta Police Department is looking into why Christian was not searched well enough to determine she had a gun.

"The Atlanta Police Department, as I understand, is now reviewing them for administrative disciplinary action after our office indicated there would be no criminal charges," said Howard.

The mother of Alexia Christian issued a statement through the family's attorney.

"The handling of this case by Atlanta Police Department has been traumatizing to my family. The lack of transparency, professionalism, and compassion has been heartbreaking.  We will continue lifting up my daughter's memory as we forever deal with her loss," said Felecia Christian.