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(NSFW) Suspect Armed With a Pickaxe Shot During Attempted Assault
Published 3 years ago
On March 19, 2021, Officers responded to reports of a man threatening citizens with a hammer and pickaxe. As Officers show up to the incident, the suspect refuses to comply, as they follow the suspect around numerous blocks in the Rampart area.
The suspect, Samuel Ponce (45-year-old) was told countless times by the group of Officers to disarm himself. Ponce, known to be a drug user and high at the time, refused to comply with Officers. Escalating the situation, the Lead Officer ordered other Officers to utilize non-lethal force in an attempt to stop Ponce.
The first non-lethal used was a 40 mm foam projectile. These are used to injure suspects and prevent them from harming themselves or others. The Officers throughout this video can be seen hitting Ponce with at least two projectiles.
Ponce, nearly un-phased by the non-lethal projectiles continues avoiding Police for ten minutes before a taser is brought out. Officer's are instructed to flank around Ponce to gain a closer position to stun him.
As the Officer's flank, Ponce lunges out toward them from behind cover and throws a hammer. The Officer closest to Ponce, missed his taser shot. Immediately after, Ponce throws a pickaxe at the Officer's when he is then shot a single time with a lethal round.
CPR was conducted on Ponce until an ambulance arrived on the scene. Ponce was later pronounced dead at the hospital.
Ponce in this case brought a "knife" to a gun fight. Let us know what you think in the comments below.