The Phoenix Police Department released edited body camera footage on Wednesday that depicted the moments before a police shooting that happened on February 2 near 23rd and Glendale Avenues. 22.
A detective was pursuing a domestic violence investigation nearby when he noticed a man who fit the description of a person who had been involved in the incident near a GMC Yukon truck and called for backup, according to Sgt. Rob Scherer, a department spokesperson who narrates the critical incident briefing video.
According to Scherer, a number of patrol officers searched the area and discovered the vehicle but not the man. Officers kept looking and noticed a two-man patrol unit driving south on 23rd Avenue where they saw a man fitting the suspect’s description when he jumped over the fence of a nearby apartment complex.
According to Scherer, officers pursued the man after spotting him hiding behind a white pickup truck, noting that he was carrying a handgun, and after hearing one shot fired. Scherer didn’t say whether the man had fired the gun.
The officers can be seen quickly exiting the vehicle after spotting someone jump the fence in body camera footage. Before both of the officers take cover—one behind a building and the other behind the patrol car—one of the officers appears to fire three shots at the man. Immediately following the gunshots, there is also a hissing sound that can be heard, but it’s not clear what’s making it.
Officers pursued the man after spotting him hiding behind a white pickup truck, noticing he was carrying a handgun, and hearing a single shot, according to Scherer. Scherer didn’t say whether the man had fired the gun.
The officers can be seen exiting the vehicle quickly after spotting someone jump the fence in body camera footage. Before both of the officers take cover—one behind a building and the other behind the patrol car—one of the officers appears to fire three shots at the man. Immediately following the gunshots, there is also a hissing sound that can be heard, but it’s not clear what’s making it.
Initial evidence, according to Scherer, indicated that the man died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound and that no shots from the officer actually hit him.
Police identified the man as Derin Holmes, age 41, in February.
The involved officer had served with the Police Department for nine months and was assigned to the Desert Horizon Precinct.
According to departmental protocol, when an officer fires their weapon, a criminal and administrative investigation into the incident is opened. Once the criminal investigation is finished, the department will turn it over to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office for review.
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Source: azcentral
