St. Paul Police Release Video of Officer-Involved Shooting
Videos released by the St. Paul police department on Wednesday show a driver running from a stolen vehicle and turning toward officers with what prosecutors say was a loaded gun. The incident occurred on December 21 and resulted in the driver, Elliot Samuels Vaughn, 32, of Minneapolis, being injured in the leg after two officers fired their duty weapons.
Vaughn has been charged with first-degree assault, as well as motor vehicle theft, and is currently being held in jail. The Ramsey County Attorney’s Office alleges that Vaughn attempted to use deadly force against two St. Paul officers by pointing the gun at them. A 37-year-old woman from Blaine, who was a passenger in the vehicle, has been charged with drug possession.
Investigation and Transparency
The police department has released excerpts from a squad camera and the officers’ body-worn cameras, which is in line with their practice in recent years in instances where officers are involved in shootings. According to Police Chief Axel Henry, “We are committed to releasing BWC (body-worn camera) and other video as soon as possible, while ensuring we don’t negatively affect the independent investigation or those impacted.” The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) is currently investigating the officers’ use of force.
The squad video shows officers driving after the stolen vehicle on the ramp to westbound Interstate 94 from U.S. 52. The vehicle, a Buick Envista, had been electronically tracked by General Motors after it was reported stolen from a rental car company in Minneapolis. GM remotely slowed and stopped the vehicle, and seconds after the driver opened the door and started running, he turned toward the squad with an object in his hand.
Officer Response and Aftermath
Officer Byron Treangen III, who was in the squad’s passenger seat, fired through the windshield, and Officer Matthew Foy, who was driving, stepped out of the squad and started shooting. Multiple shots were fired by police, and Vaughn fell down on the road, suffering a gunshot wound to his leg. He was treated at a hospital and is currently being held in jail.
Vaughn’s attorney had no comment on the charges against him. The incident is a reminder of the risks and challenges faced by law enforcement officers in their daily work. For more information on this incident, visit Here
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