By Joanna Putman
Police1
MARANA, Ariz. — A multi-agency law enforcement investigation team has released body camera and helicopter footage of an officer using a rifle to take down an armed suspect at long range, the Arizona Daily Star reported.
The Feb. 10 incident began when officers from the Marana Police Department conducted a traffic stop. After conducting an investigation, officers decided to arrest Tobin Pico, 29, for aggravated DUI, according to the report.
When officers started trying to place Pico in handcuffs, he fled on foot, crossing multiple lanes of traffic. Body camera footage from one of the officers shows Pico dropping a handgun in the road’s median. He picked it up and continued to run from officers.
Click below to see full video.
Other officers were called to assist, and an air unit maintained a visual on the suspect as he started to walk toward a populous area, according to the report. Helicopter video shows Pico the handgun at the ground next to him.
An officer’s body camera then shows a team setting up a rifle. The officer with the rifle fired three shots. Helicopter video shows the suspect falling to the ground after the third shot. The distance between the officer and the suspect is unclear, but the officers cannot be seen on the thermal helicopter video that shows Pico being shot.
After being struck by rifle fire, the suspect was able to get up and fire shots at officers, helicopter video shows. Officers returned fire, again bringing the suspect to the ground.
Officers rendered aid, but the suspect was pronounced dead on the scene, according to the report.