APACHE JUNCTION, Ariz. — The Apache Junction Police Department released body camera video from a standoff with an armed suspect, which led to the death of Officer Gabriel Facio.
The June 2 incident began when a 911 caller reported a man in a car brandishing a gun. Video shows officers responding to the scene. One officer began to speak with the suspect, who abruptly pulled a gun out of his glovebox.
The officer drew his gun and ordered the suspect to drop the weapon as he backed away. The suspect got out of the vehicle and began yelling at officers.
“You’re going to have to shoot me,” the man can be heard saying as he walks away.
The officer followed the man, still carrying the gun, and continued to issue commands to drop the weapon. Another officer followed in a cruiser as additional officers arrived.
More officers joined in following the suspect, taking cover behind the cruiser. They shot pepper balls at the man in order to get him to drop the gun. Less lethal methods were unsuccessful.
Body camera footage then shows an officer at the back of the cruiser recoiling as the man fired shots at them. He briefly dropped to one knee before standing up to message on the radio that shots had been fired.
As the suspect fired shots, Facio was shot and wounded in the face. Officers returned fire. They placed Facio in a patrol car and continued to issue commands to the suspect, who had dropped to the ground but still had control of the weapon.
The suspect got up from the ground, still holding the weapon.
“You’re going to have to kill me,” the man said.
As the suspect stood up and turned around, an officer fired a shot, striking him.
Facio was transported to a hospital in a cruiser while some officers remained to attempt to take the suspect into custody. The suspect was on the ground and injured but still had the firearm near him.
The man was arrested and transported to a hospital. He was treated and released into custody on multiple charges, including first-degree murder.
Facio spent six days fighting for his life in the hospital before he succumbed to his wounds on June 8.
