Bodycam: Shots Just Miss N.M. Police Officers in Fierce Gunfight
Rounds from a shootout with a suspect narrowly missed two New Mexico police officers, and body camera footage captured the frantic gun battle.
The incident happened June 21 when Las Cruces police joined New Mexico State Police troopers pursuing Bobby Charles Crawford, 47, who was wanted on an arrest warrant, KFOX-TV reports. Police used a PIT maneuver to stop Crawford, who began firing on officers.
"The officers came under immediate deadly force against the persons within five seconds of stopping the vehicle, and they reacted really similar to how they would be trained," said Las Cruces Police Lt. Peter Bradley.
During the exchange, shots struck the windshields of two Las Cruces police cruisers, according to PoliceActivity. Although the officers weren't struck by the bullets, they suffered minor injuries from shattered glass.
"When it says narrowly missing him, we’re talking inches from the sergeant's head, both rounds exiting and passing by him," Las Cruces interim Police Chief Jeremy Story told KFOX.
Police were able to return fire, and Crawford was struck at least once. He was airlifted to a hospital in El Paso, Texas, and he was charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault on a peace officer and other counts, KVIA-TV reports.
