This bodycam footage, provided by the Police Department of Raleigh, North Carolina, shows one of their officers shooting at a gunman who previously shot two other people. Unfortunately, the suspect uses a vehicle for cover which, unbeknownst to the officer, is occupied. The cop’s gunfire into the vehicle wounds the bystander. Viewer discretion is advised.

25 seconds into the video, the gunman is seen calmly walking away from the officer, who repeatedly instructs him to drop the gun. As he passes a red pickup, the suspect, later identified as one Ranses Vargas, breaks left to use the vehicle as cover. The officer opens fire, dumping a magazine into the truck to presumably hit Vargas on the other side. However, in so doing he has assumed that the truck is unoccupied. It is not.

At 0:55, the officer and another Raleigh cop call out the bystander/victim in the truck, calling him to the police cruiser. As the truck occupant shows his hands, the officer uses other vehicles as cover to approach. He finds Vargas on the ground at 01:50. Another bystander, who was presumably in the truck’s passenger seat, is shown unharmed. Having cuffed Vargas, the officer confirms that the truck’s driver has been shot- or rather, that he shot the driver. The distinction is an important one. The other officer is shown preparing to affix a tourniquet, and Vargas’ handgun is briefly shown next to him, in lockback.

Vargas was charged with two counts of assault with a deadly weapon and intent to kill, having survived his injuries. While the investigation is ongoing, the family of the injured, otherwise uninvolved bystander has brought a suit of $25MIL against the Raleigh Police Department.

 

About the Author

 

       

     

Cole Simms

     

Cole Simms is an Air Guardsman, NASA enthusiast, police officer, and security contractor with particular experience in austere environments. Outside of work, he volunteers as a Stop The Bleed instructor for area schools. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Homeland Security and Emergency Management, and blends his knowledge and experience to write analysis for Funker530.

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