Dallas police release body camera footage of shooting involving officer
DALLAS (CBSNewsTexas.com) - The Dallas Police Department has released body camera footage from a shooting involving a police officer on July 25.
The video showed the suspect, identified as Ryan Taylor, 41, driving recklessly through a neighborhood before entering the Tollway. The truck drives at high speed, weaving in and out of traffic, striking some cars. It also shows officers eventually taking Taylor down after he shoots at them.
"This man, who had absolutely no regard for human life, recklessly put drivers and other lives in jeopardy. Then he turned and tried to kill one of my police officers. Officer Craven needed to be a warrior that day, and he answered his call," Dallas police Chief Eddie García said during a Friday news conference. "We are fortunate we didn't lose an officer that day."
It all started Tuesday when officers received reports of a stolen U-Haul truck in the Northwest Dallas area. García said Taylor intentionally rammed the police surveillance car and took off. Following a short pursuit on the Tollway, the truck crashed into several more cars in the 7200 block of Lemmon Avenue, went over the center median and crashed into a tree on the west side of the street.
García said Taylor eventually jumped out of the truck and ran toward a private hangar area at The Frontiers of Flight Museum. The body camera footage confirms this.
"The investigation determined Taylor ran into the opening of the building and fired a handgun at least twice at Officer Craven. Officer Craven returned fire, striking suspect Taylor in the leg," García said.
Taylor survived and was taken to a local hospital. He was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated assault on a public servant, with more charges potentially looming, according to García.
No police officers were injured during the incident.
It was the fifth shooting involving a Dallas Police officer this year, according to García.
Watch the entire video footage below:
