A dramatic shootout between a suspect and Pasadena police was captured on video, revealing a tense confrontation that ended in gunfire. The incident occurred on a busy street, with the suspect firing through the windshield at officers, sparking chaos and panic among bystanders.
Bodycam footage from the scene shows officers responding to a call about a suspicious vehicle. As they approached, the suspect, later identified as a Hispanic male wearing sunglasses, suddenly pulled out a handgun and began firing through his car’s windshield. The officers immediately took cover and returned fire.
An officer, identified in the footage as having fired 18 shots, recounted the intense moments of the encounter. “I jumped out and he pulled his gun on us,” the officer said. “He started firing rounds through the windshield. We didn’t touch the glass, maybe over there.”
The suspect’s initial shots were directed towards the officers, who were positioned east of the vehicle. In the ensuing exchange, bullets flew towards a nearby shopping center, causing further alarm. Thankfully, no bystanders were injured during the shootout.
“Did you fire?” an officer asked his colleague. “No, but okay, you did too,” was the reply, indicating multiple officers had discharged their weapons.
The suspect attempted to flee the scene, but his car was stopped after a police maneuver. “The car just stopped. They attempted the pit maneuver, and he hit that sign. We came head-on with him,” another officer explained. “He pulled the 417 (a code for a gun), started firing at us. I stepped out and I quit firing.”
The suspect was eventually subdued and taken into custody without further incident. The officers involved were unharmed, though one reported being hit by debris from the exchange. “We got hit, so deep that… it’s good. I’m just doing the questions,” the officer added, indicating the severity of the encounter.
In the aftermath, police secured the scene and ensured no further threats were present. The suspect’s semi-automatic handgun was recovered, and he now faces multiple charges, including attempted murder of a police officer.
The video of the shootout has sparked significant reaction from the community, with many expressing relief that no one was seriously injured. However, it also raised concerns about the rising incidents of armed confrontations and the safety of both law enforcement and civilians.
This shocking shootout serves as a stark reminder of the dangers police officers face daily and the unpredictable nature of their work. The Pasadena Police Department has launched an investigation into the incident, ensuring all protocols were followed and to prevent future occurrences of such violent confrontations.
