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By Joanna Putman
Police1
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Newly released body camera footage shows the moment a man pointed an AR-style pistol at a Louisville Metro Police Department officer as he fled on foot, WFPL reported.
Officers were responding to a domestic violence incident after a 911 call reported a woman running down the street and screaming for help, according to the report.
Body camera footage shows officers approaching a parked vehicle. As they get closer, a gun-wielding man jumps out of the car and flees through residential yards, eventually running back to the street.
Officers can be heard repeatedly commanding the suspect, now identified as Jaron Bobbitt, 38, to drop the gun. Bobbitt turns around to face officers while waving the gun, before continuing to run.
Moments later, he turns around again and points the gun directly at the pursuing officers. Officer O’Sha Rogers then shot the man in the arm and abdomen. Officers administered medical aid to Bobbitt, who was then transported to a hospital, according to the report.
LMPD Assistant Chief Paul Humphrey said the entire incident lasted less than a minute and defended Rogers’ split-second decision.
“We start with our values that all life is sacred, and decisions must be made based upon who is in danger at the time and who has the ability to control the situation,” he told WFPL.
Rogers graduated from the police academy and joined the LMPD in August.
Bobbitt is charged with assault, domestic violence, fleeing or evading arrest, wanton endangerment and being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, according to the report.