NEW ORLEANS – The New Orleans Police Department on Monday (Feb. 17) released new video showing the moment a fleeing suspect in an allegedly stolen car rammed through traffic on the Claiborne Avenue bridge, striking an officer during his getaway on Feb. 6.
Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick said it was a clear “deadly force situation,” justifying officers’ decision to fire upon the car. The suspect was not hit.
Video from the Real-time Crime Center showed the allegedly stolen Kia stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic on the North Claiborne Avenue bridge near Poland Avenue as police closed in on the Thursday before the Super Bowl. The NOPD says the car was stolen during an armed robbery earlier that day.
“They were aware that the officers are present,” Kirkpatrick said of the car’s occupants.
Police released two body-worn camera angles, as well as video from the RCC. It shows police approaching the vehicle on foot and shouting commands for the driver to step out of the car.
Video shows the driver did not listen. Instead, he crashed into an SUV and pushed through traffic to jump the curb. Despite an NOPD cruiser parked near the curb, the driver was able to make it between the gap. The driver hits the cruiser, almost hits one officer and then strikes a second officer.
“That’s what makes it a deadly force situation, because he is ramming occupied vehicles. He’s already attempted to hit one officer,” Kirkpatrick said.
Three officers fired gunshots at the car. The NOPD said 11 shots were fired.
“The biggest takeaway I would want is for the public to know how dangerous it is for these officers to face people who engage in violence,” Kirkpatrick said. “They will do whatever they need to do to get away. That also impacts the community, the innocent bystanders.”
The injured officer is a 25-year-veteran of the department.
As for the driver, police say Juquan Dominick was arrested nearly a week later on Feb. 12. Dominick faces multiple allegations.
Via FOX 8 LIVE