This compilation of bodycam, dashboard camera, and security camera footage depicts LAPD officers as they conduct a traffic stop which is suddenly interrupted by a seemingly random gunman as he fires on an occupied place of business. Viewer discretion is advised.

The footage begins from the perspective of an LAPD officer driving the patrol unit as they interdict a driver who ran a red light. As he and his partner make contact with the driver, they make prudent tactical choices for a traffic stop, such as having the driver roll down all his windows and using illumination to blind his mirror and rear glass views. These decisions indicate a level of proficiency and experience, which will be made clear shortly.

At 01:51, the perspective shifts to the partner officer as they issue a warning to the driver. “Just don’t drive high.” We see a third officer conducting a search of the stopped vehicle as shots are fired at 01:54. The second officer, from whose perspective we are viewing, immediately identifies the threat and puts rounds on target, using his vehicle as cover. The suspect is approximately 20-25 yards away and occluded by an iron fence, but the three officers bring him down.

At 02:19, we see these events from the perspective of the third officer, who was searching the car. As the gunman opens fire, the officer takes a textbook defensive position, using the engine and wheel as cover before firing. 3:02 shows the officers’ responses from a sidelong view, as captured by the parked patrol unit.

A security feed at 03:32 shows the suspect. He appears to be shooting as he advances on an occupied building, either oblivious or uncaring toward the officers’ presence just yards away. At 03:43, the officers’ initial rounds are seen striking the brick face by the suspect, at which point he turns his gun on them. He goes down as he retreats behind an SUV.

At 03:54, officers move in to effect the arrest. A ballistic shield is used, to guard against the possibility of the suspect “playing opossum”, which, for our non-American viewers, is a euphemism for someone pretending to be dead or wounded in order to get advantage. The officers here move slowly and with good communication and teamwork, resisting the urge to get in too much of a hurry. They clear the car as they approach. One officer covers with the shield, the other with a handgun as a third puts on the handcuffs. Conversation reveals that there was a child in one of the cars, but was unharmed. There is the typical LAPD paranoia concerning evidence at 05:33, and as the suspect is rolled over for CPR (although I question the quality of compressions given his arms behind his back), his gun is in clear view. It was later determined that the suspect, one Michael Meadows, 44, was killed on-scene.

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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