Introduction to the Incident
A man who had been shot by an off-duty officer, then shocked by a stun gun in a Dallas club parking lot Sunday still attempted to get away while wounded, police said. Bryan Cruz-Campos, 23, faces charges of aggravated assault and evading arrest after a reported shooting occurred in a club parking lot in the 10700 block of Finnell Street at about 2:20 a.m. Sunday, Dallas police Chief Daniel Comeaux said at a news conference Thursday.
The Events Leading Up to the Shooting
Off-duty uniformed officers had been working in the area as security when they heard shots fired, Comeaux said. Officers went toward the gunshots and found a man, later identified as Cruz-Campos, fighting with another man, Comeaux said. The fight between the men started over a girl, a homicide detective said at the news conference.
The Fight Escalates
Things escalated, one of the officers at the scene said. Cruz-Campos fired a handgun and grazed the other man’s face, Comeaux said. Cruz-Campos ran away as officers approached and commanded him to drop the gun. He was able to run to another area of the parking lot, where he encountered off-duty Officer Keenen Anderson, Comeaux said.
The Chase and Shooting
Anderson’s body camera footage shows him chasing Cruz-Campos and yelling at him to put the gun down. Cruz-Campos continued to run. At one point, Cruz-Campos moved his hand toward his pocket, which Comeaux said Anderson understood as Cruz-Campos reaching for his gun. Anderson reacted by shooting him in the shoulder. Cruz-Campos ran for about 20 more seconds, and during that time Anderson fired another shot, but missed, body camera footage shows. Cruz-Campos then dropped his gun and got on the ground.
The Use of a Stun Gun
Anderson commanded Cruz-Campos to turn over so officers could handcuff him and administer first aid. When Cruz-Campos did not, Anderson could be seen in the footage shocking Cruz-Campos multiple times with a stun gun. Cruz-Campos was shocked with the stun gun due to actively resisting as officers were trying to take him into custody, the detective at the news conference said.
Statements and Evidence
Cruz-Campos told Anderson in the video that he ran because he was scared. He also said that the man he was fighting had a knife, which police did not confirm. Cruz-Campos and the man he is accused of shooting were taken to a hospital. Cruz-Campos was released from the hospital on Sunday and taken into police custody, the detective said. The gun used by the Cruz-Campos was a 40-caliber Glock style handgun, the detective said.
Conclusion
The incident in the Dallas club parking lot highlights the importance of swift and effective action by law enforcement in potentially dangerous situations. The use of a stun gun and the shooting of Cruz-Campos have raised questions about the use of force by police officers, but the body camera footage and statements from the officers involved provide valuable context and evidence.
FAQs
Q: What led to the fight between Cruz-Campos and the other man?
A: The fight started over a girl, according to a homicide detective.
Q: What type of gun was used by Cruz-Campos?
A: The gun used by Cruz-Campos was a 40-caliber Glock style handgun.
Q: Why was Cruz-Campos shocked with a stun gun?
A: Cruz-Campos was shocked with a stun gun due to actively resisting as officers were trying to take him into custody.
Q: What were the injuries sustained by Cruz-Campos and the other man?
A: Cruz-Campos was shot in the shoulder, and the other man had his face grazed by a bullet.
Q: What charges does Cruz-Campos face?
A: Cruz-Campos faces charges of aggravated assault and evading arrest.
