Iowa dashcam: BG fires 14-19 shots, LEO fires 7.

[surprise_i'm_armed]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8amqTQSxcPM

The above link is to a 1 minute, 38 second dashcam video from the Mahquoeta, Iowa PD.

The pickup driver had relationship problems, called his ex-wife to watch their child(ren) and said
he "had a score to settle". He was drunk.

The LEO did not know about this, but was checking on this pickup parked on the wrong side of the street.

The LEO approaches the driver's door, the BG exits with a rifle. The LEO was pretty quick with his draw,
and the gunfight was on. The BG fired 14-19 shots, hitting the LEO once in the arm. The LEO fired 7 rounds,
hitting the BG once in the leg (which was non-life threatening).

The BG fled the scene in his truck. The truck was found crashed in a ditch and the BG had died of a self-inflicted GSW.

SIA

[jmra]

[youtube]http://youtube.com/watch?v=8amqTQSxcPM[/youtube]

[WildBill]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8amqTQSxcPM

The above link is to a 1 minute, 38 second dashcam video from the Mahquoeta, Iowa PD.

The pickup driver had relationship problems, called his ex-wife to watch their child(ren) and said
he "had a score to settle". He was drunk.

The LEO did not know about this, but was checking on this pickup parked on the wrong side of the street.

The LEO approaches the driver's door, the BG exits with a rifle. The LEO was pretty quick with his draw,
and the gunfight was on. The BG fired 14-19 shots, hitting the LEO once in the arm. The LEO fired 7 rounds,
hitting the BG once in the leg (which was non-life threatening).

The BG fled the scene in his truck. The truck was found crashed in a ditch and the BG had died of a self-inflicted GSW.

SIA

It's amazing how fast things can unfold. At least it ended well. Hope the LEO recovers quickly.

[chasfm11]

From a learning standpoint, it would appear that the officer's approach was questionable. The door as it opens on the pickup allows the BG to conceal the rifle. Is this standard police procedure? At night?

I'm very glad that the officer will survive. Given the situation, another outcome was certainly possible. While I have no intention of checking out drunks in pickup in the middle of the night, I'd be curious to understand a better way to have handled this situation.

[mojo84]

He did seem to approach the truck a little non-chalantly. Bet he doesn't in the future. Glad he is OK.

[VMI77]

I'm not going to criticize his approach. Do you want the police to assume you're armed and dangerous in every encounter? That's what gets old men with canes shot.

[mojo84]

I'm not going to criticize his approach. Do you want the police to assume you're armed and dangerous in every encounter? That's what gets old men with canes shot.

No, not at all. I did not criticize him. I just noted he approached pretty nonchalantly and didn't keep his eyes on the guy. There's a happy medium between being aware and attentive and drawing down and shooting an old man with a cane. Is there not in your mind? I will be one of the last ones on here that expects a cop to approach everyone as if they are a violent criminal. Reviewing some of my posts will make that obvious.

There's no need to jump to the extreme every time someone says something. I am confident you and I agree more than disagree.