Newly released body camera footage captures the violent moment a Pasadena police officer was shot during a raging gun battle with an armed suspect accused of terrorizing the area after a shooting and alleged sexual assault near a Metro station.
The chaos unfolded around 7:30 p.m. on March 2, after police were called to the Sierra Madre Villa Metro station, where the gunman shot a victim in the shoulder before taking off on foot.
Moments later, Officer Bryan Vasquez spotted the suspect several blocks away and gave chase through the neighborhood.
The newly released footage shows the encounter spiraling into a terrifying exchange of gunfire as shots exploded down the street.
Nearby residents said they heard as many as 15 to 20 rounds fired during the barrage. Bullet holes were later found blasted into a brick wall.
Despite being seriously wounded, Vasquez survived the firefight.
The suspect, identified as 32-year-old Pasadena resident Malcolm Buchanan, died at the scene.
Police also released an image Friday of the handgun investigators say Buchanan used during the deadly confrontation.
Authorities later released cellphone footage captured by a witness that they believe shows Buchanan sexually assaulting a second victim before running from the area, adding another disturbing layer to the violent rampage.
Buchanan’s grandmother previously told ABC7 that he struggled with mental health issues and may have been off his medication at the time.
Pasadena Police Chief Gene Harris praised Vasquez for staying in the fight after being shot and relying on his training during the life-or-death encounter.
“The officer’s actions in that moment I think would be considered heroic. It is always a tragedy anytime there is a loss of life… that is not what we get into the business for and speaking to the officer is certainly not what he got into the business for, but we understand it is always a risk and potential for this type of incident to occur,” Harris said.
Harris said Vasquez, a five-year department veteran, has been released from the hospital but remains on leave as he recovers from severe injuries. The shooting remains under investigation.
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