Newly released footage captures a violent confrontation between a police officer and a driver, revealing the tense moments before the officer opened fire in Phoenix. The altercation began after a patrol officer pulled over a vehicle during a traffic stop on May 25.
Officials indicated that a Desert Horizon Precinct officer observed a traffic violation and pulled over the car near 2500 East Cactus Road. Following the stop, the officer was immediately met by an aggressive man, who exited the vehicle’s driver’s seat.
A dispute unfolded around 2:30 p.m. along the side of the road as the pair began to shout, and the man disobeyed the officer’s commands, according to USA Crime. The report stated that the driver physically challenged the officer, assaulted him, and then attempted to grab the policeman’s weapon. The policeman eventually withdrew it from his holster and fired shots at the driver.
The altercation was captured on the officer’s bodycam and on nearby surveillance footage, which was compiled in a video over 6 minutes long. In the video, before the dispute took a physical turn, the driver angrily pointed out that other drivers committed traffic violations, but the officer chose to hassle him over it. He hurled expletives at the policeman and demanded to speak to his superior.
Eventually, the two get into a physical fight as the driver swings at the policeman, who attempts to punch him. The driver also kicks the policeman and urges him to fight. They end up tussling, which is when the driver allegedly tries to disarm the officer.
During the confrontation, the policeman’s bodycam falls to the ground. The additional footage, obtained from a camera across the street, shows a passerby notices the fight and attempts to intervene. He tries to detain the driver, but he is unable to end the fight.
According to reports, the policeman feared for his life, prompting him to brandish his firearm and open fire at the diver. After the incident, other officers responded to the scene and assisted the injured driver. He received medical aid at the spot before he was transported to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The patrol officer, who served in the force for four years, was also taken to the hospital and treated and later released. The driver was later arrested, and an investigation has been launched into the incident.
