Newly released body camera footage shows the shooting of a Pasadena police officer during a shootout with an armed suspect accused of harassing the area after a shooting and alleged sexual assault near a Metro station.
The riot happened around 07:30 pm on March 2, after police were called to the Sierra Madre Villa Metro station, where a gunman shot the victim in the shoulder before leaving on foot.
A short time later, Officer Bryan Vasquez spotted the suspect a few blocks away and gave chase in the area.
This newly released video shows the scene of a terrifying exchange of gunfire as gunfire erupts in the street.
Nearby residents said they heard 15 to 20 rounds being fired during the incident.
Bullet holes were later found blasted into the brick wall.
Although he was seriously injured, Vasquez survived the fire.
The suspect, 32-year-old Pasadena resident Malcolm Buchanan, died at the scene.
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Police also released a photo Friday of the gun investigators say Buchanan used during the altercation.
Authorities later released cellphone photos taken by a witness that they believe show Buchanan sexually assaulting a second victim before fleeing the scene, adding another disturbing element to the violent spree.
Buchanan’s grandmother previously told ABC7 that he suffered from mental health issues and may not have been on medication at the time.
Pasadena Police Chief Gene Harris praised Vasquez for staying on the job after being shot and relying on his training during life-or-death encounters.
“The actions of the officer in that moment I think will be considered heroic. It’s always a tragedy any time a life is lost … that’s not what we go into business for and talking to an officer is certainly not what we go into business for, but we understand that it’s always dangerous and this type of incident can happen,” said Harris.
Harris said Vasquez, a five-year veteran of the department, has been released from the hospital but is still on leave as he recovers from serious injuries.
The shooting is still under investigation.
