By Police1 Staff
AUSTIN — Dash cam video has been released capturing the shooting of a burglary suspect as he rammed into an officer’s patrol car in an escape attempt.
KXAN reports Officer Shane Cunningham responded to a burglary call in August 2013 when suspects Miguel Macias and Austin James Hanlon rammed their vehicle into the officer’s patrol car.
Macias, who was behind the wheel, had pushed the officer’s cruiser back with his vehicle until it hit a tree and stopped, according to KVUE.
Officer Cunningham, in fear for his life, fired 15 rounds into the car after commanding Macias and Hanlon to put their hands up multiple times.
Macias was struck five times by the officer’s gunfire — including once in the head.
Macias is currently on trial for aggravated assault on a police officer with a deadly weapon and burglary charges.
Officer Cunningham has also filed a civil suit against him seeking between $100K and $200K in damages. Cunningham told a court he filed the suit out of principal and in support of his fellow officers, KXAN reported.
Defense lawyers argue Macias did not intend to harm the officer, and that Cunningham slammed his vehicle into them during their attempted escape.
Officer Cunningham’s use of force in the incident was cleared by a grand jury in August.