Bodycam video captured the moment a Douglas County Sheriff’s deputy shot a man who exited his vehicle with an assault weapon in hand on May 12, local media reported.
Twenty five-year-old Deyon Marcus Rivas-Maestas has been charged with first-degree assault of a police officer, the Denver Post reported, citing Littleton Police Department Chief Doug Stephens. Local media identified the deputy who discharged his firearm as six-year veteran Brad Proux. Rivas-Maestas was struck in the arm.
The sheriff’s deputy had pulled over to investigate what appeared to be a stranded motorist in a white SUV parked on the side of the road, local broadcasters said.
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“The result of this shooting is a testament to the training each of our deputies are provided,” Sheriff Tony Spurlock said in a statement on the department Facebook page.
“This just shows how necessary it is for deputies to be able to make split-second decisions, not only for their own protection but for the protection of the community.”
Authorities said Rivas-Maestas’ weapon was not loaded and have so far been unable to explain why he exited the vehicle to begin with.