By Erika Wurst
The Arizona Daily Star, Tucson
PIMA COUNTY, Ariz. — Body-cam video of a Pima County sheriff’s deputy who was shot and wounded during a foot chase in August southwest of Tucson has been released by the multi-agency team that investigates officer-involved shootings here.
The footage shows the moment Gabriel Altamirano fired at Deputy Augustine Gonzalez as he is being chased across a desert field. Gonzalez, a 29-year veteran of the department, fires back several times but misses Altamirano, who runs away. As Altamirano evades authorities, Gonzalez’s partner can be seen applying a tourniquet to his partner’s leg, the video released by the Pima Regional Critical Incident Team shows.
Gonzalez was hospitalized for an injury to his calf. No other deputies were wounded.
The incident began about 10 a.m. Aug. 13. at a home in the 5000 block of West Jeffrey Road, southwest of Tucson near West Valencia and South Mark roads. Investigators say dispatchers received a call that Altamirano threatened to kill a former girlfriend during an argument. Her sibling later told the Star Altamirano got “rough,” waved the gun, made threats and tried to hit her with a car before fleeing prior to the deputies’ arrival.
At about noon, and after speaking with the victim, a deputy spotted Altamirano’s vehicle driving near the residence and gave chase. Altamirano drove off but crashed into a car. He and his companion then ran away, and the Gonzalez ran in pursuit.
At some point during the foot chase, Altamirano hid in some bushes and shot at the deputy, striking Gonzalez in the leg.
Body-cam footage of Pima County sheriff’s deputy shooting released
Video of a Pima County sheriff’s deputy who was shot and wounded during a foot chase in August southwest of Tucson has been released by the Pima Regional Critical Incident Team, the multi-agency unit that investigates officer-involved shootings here.
A second man was taken into custody soon after the shooting but has not been identified, deputies said.
During his escape, Altamirano allegedly forced his way into multiple homes in his attempt to avoid his arrest.
About 2:40 a.m. Aug. 18, deputies were flagged down in reference to a possible kidnapping in the area of West Irvington and Midvale Park roads. Information gathered at the scene led investigators to believe Altamirano was a possible suspect. Several hours later, following a search of the area, officers located Altimirano and took him into custody without incident.
Altamirano was arrested on suspicion of multiple charges, including attempted first degree murder, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated assault, temporary/substantial disfigurement, first degree burglary and possession of a deadly weapon by a prohibited possessor.
The Pima Regional Critical Incident Team, which investigates shootings involving local law enforcement agencies, is handling the criminal investigation. A separate internal investigation by the Pima County Sheriff’s Department is being conducted to determine if department policies were followed, a standard practice.
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