Photo: Roberto E. Rosales/Getty Images
The Farmington, New Mexico Police Department released Wednesday The first images from the body cameras of the officers who responded to the shooting registered in a residential area last Mondaywhich left three people dead and several injured.
In the images, compiled by NBC News, the moment can be seen when the sergeant, Rachel Discenza, is shot in the middle of the firefight.
She can be heard yelling, “I’ve been shot,” before going down to the ground and then getting up to continue pursuing the suspect. Another officer approaches him and yells, “Get me a medic for the sergeant!”
Farmington Police Chief Steve Hebbe told a news conference that he was stunned to hear the number of shots fired in the ongoing shooting.
“When you’re really listening to him, especially in that close-up where he’s still shooting that AR-15, it sounds like you’re watching Afghanistan or Iraq. I was not prepared to see that and hear the volume of gunfire,” Hebbe said.
The videos show officers arriving on the scene and approaching the shooter, identified as 18-year-old Beau Wilson, until they were able to bring him down.
On Monday, around 11:00 a.m., Wilson left his house and opened fire on neighboring houses and passing cars.the police said.
San Juan County Sheriff Captain Kevin Burns explained that the teen began shooting with an AR-15 rifle outside his homefrom the front porch area, but promptly dropped it into some bushes despite it still containing more live ammunition.
The gunman continued to fire with two pistols, discarded a .22 caliber pistol and then depleted cartridges from a 9mm pistol in the final shootout with police, during which he fired at least 18 rounds before being shot, is in front of the First Church of Christ, Scientist, at 713 N. Dustin Ave.
The researchers collected at least 176 rounds141 of which were fired from Wilson’s home, hitting at least 7 houses and 11 cars, Burns said.
In addition to the three weapons Wilson used, there were 10 other firearms in his home. In total, the police found 1,400 ammunitionaccording to Hebe.
The policemen found a note on Wilson’s clothing that contains a kind of warning.
“If (you’re) reading this, I’m (at) the end of the chapter,” the note reads. “Roll your eyes or (dare) to put a finger on my little sister, (I promise) there will be regrets”says the small paper written with green marker.
Shooter he was wearing a bulletproof vest modified with steel plates during part of the exchange, but later abandoned it as well.
When Hebbe was asked if Wilson was seeking a “suicide by cop” end to his life, the police chief said he believed that was the case.
“He is defending himself. She has opportunities to run away. She does not take advantage of those opportunities. So yeah, I think ultimately in his head, he made the decision that he’s going to stand up and fight until he’s killed,” Hebbe told reporters.
Wilson killed a total of three women, longtime Farmington residents, identified as Gwendolyn Schofield, 97, her 73-year-old daughter, Melody Ivie, and Shirley Voita, 79.
Those injured in the attack include Sergeant Discenza, and New Mexico State Police Officer Andreas Stamatiadas. The officers were treated at a local hospital and released.
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