In a dramatic confrontation captured on police body camera footage, a homicide suspect was fatally shot by officers at the end of a pier in Newport Beach, California.
The incident involved Jose Velasquez, 45, who succumbed to his injuries at the scene after being pursued by law enforcement to a dead end. Velasquez, suspected in the death of his girlfriend, Storm Wolf, had reportedly brandished a firearm before officers discharged their weapons, as detailed by the Los Angeles Times.
The footage, which was not made public until March 10, was released by the authorities, according to KABC-TV in Los Angeles. Additional recordings from bystanders provided various perspectives on the pursuit. The sequence of events began when police responded to a call about an unresponsive woman, identified as 38-year-old Storm Wolf, found in a pickup truck in Menifee, California. Velasquez, Wolf's boyfriend and the alleged perpetrator, was traced to his ex-wife's residence in Santa Ana, positioned between Newport Beach and Menifee.
Dispatchers informed officers that Velasquez was armed and driving a silver Honda CRV, leading to a high-speed chase across multiple cities, culminating at the Newport Beach pier.
Upon reaching the pier, Velasquez exited his vehicle and allegedly brandished a 9mm Glock, prompting officers to fire nearly 30 rounds. Rajon Robinson, who was fishing with his family on the pier, recounted the unexpected turn of events. "Next thing you know, a helicopter is hovering above and we hear sirens," Robinson recalled.
"Then we see a car driving up on the pier. Weve never seen a car drive up on the pier before as were fishing." Robinson described Velasquez's demeanor as calm, noting, "The man was driving pretty calmly as well. It was like he didnt have any intention to hurt anybody that was on the pier."
Remarkably, despite the intense gunfire, no bystanders were harmed. "We heard a multitude of shots being fired so I had to shield and protect my son, my dad had to shield and protect my nephew just to make sure everybody was OK," Robinson shared. "Im kind of traumatized by it were all traumatized and devastated." Authorities believe the firearm Velasquez displayed was the same weapon allegedly used in Wolf's murder.
The Santa Ana Police Department continues to investigate the incident, seeking to piece together the full narrative of this tragic encounter.
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