This footage, provided by the Harris County Sheriff’s Office in Texas, shows their deputies making contact with a suspect in reference to a stolen car. The suspect persists in reaching for a weapon despite being warned, and is shot and killed by the deputies. Viewer discretion is advised.

Having tracked the stolen vehicle to local residence, police heard the suspect, 18-year-old Nathanael Piñon flee from the rear of the home as they inquired at the front. A short time later, they located him as shown in the video. Here, we see two juxtaposed perspectives of the deputies as they warn the suspect not to reach for the weapon in his waistband. He fails to comply and is promptly shot several times at 0:18.

At 0:33, a third deputy’s camera shows the deputies as they approach, retrieve the weapon and begin to render aid. The weapon is a 9mm handgun with a large-capacity magazine, semiautomatic though similar in appearance to a submachine gun. Responding EMS declared Piñon dead on-scene.

Action tends to beat reaction. The chances of someone quick-drawing and winning against someone who has already drawn (let alone multiple people) are remote, and those chances drop precipitously when we’re talking about a poorly concealed weapon the size of a Toughbook, versus Texas cops.

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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