By Joanna Putman
Police1
DELTA, Colo. — Newly released body camera footage shows the moment an agitated suspect tried to attack an officer, leading to an officer-involved shooting, the Montrose Press reported.
The incident occurred on Oct. 10, 2023, when a Delta Police Department officer responded to reports of a suspicious person entering a home, according to the report. Upon arrival, the officer encountered the suspect, who was aggressive and non-compliant, video shows.
The man spoke defensively to the officer, insisting that a woman “killed [his] kid.” When asked why he was trying to enter the home, he said that he was looking for his daughter.
The officer then tried to detain the man, instructing him to put his hands behind his back. The man refused, initially backing away from the officer, before approaching aggressively.
The man can be seen swinging his fist in several attempts to strike the officer, before the officer drew his TASER. The shock from the TASER caused the suspect to back away again, before yelling and approaching the officer.
He then tried to kick the officer. A bystander attempted to calm the suspect as the officer instructed the suspect to get on the ground. The suspect refused, instead walking away from the officer while shouting profanities.
After several seconds of the man refusing to follow the officer’s instructions, the man ran toward a trailer. The officer fired a single shot, striking the man. The officer then attempted to take the man into custody, rendering aid to him as he continued to resist.
The suspect was taken to the hospital with a gunshot wound to the chest, according to the report. He tested positive for methamphetamine, amphetamines, opiates and benzodiazepines.
The officer involved in the shooting will not face charges for the shooting, according to District Attorney Seth Ryan. The DA determined that the officer acted reasonably in self-defense.