Warning: The above video depicts a police shootout. Viewer discretion is advised.
Newly released bodycam footage shows the harrowing moments when police officers engaged in a shootout with a suspect in front of a busy In-N-Out in Orange County earlier this year.
The incident occurred on Sept. 20, according to the Newport Beach Police Department, the agency that released the bodycam video. It began just after 12:35 a.m. when license plate readers alerted authorities to a car that was connected to a carjacking and murder that had occurred in Carlsbad hours earlier, NBPD Public Information Officer Sgt. Steve Oberon said.
About 20 minutes later, officers with the NBPD spotted the car near East Coast Highway and Newport Coast Drive and initiated a pursuit after the driver, later identified as 31-year-old Andre Matijasevic, did not stop.
“A vehicle pursuit ensued that took officers onto the southbound 5 Freeway,” Oberon said, explaining that, due to the situation, the Newport Beach officers requested assistance, which came in the form of an Irvine Police Department K9 unit. “The pursuit continued on Interstate 5 where Matijasevic exited on El Toro Road in the city of Laguna Hills.”
Matijasevic, after exiting the freeway, drove through a business plaza and then east on El Toro Road, where he continued towards Avenida de Carlota; however, before reaching the intersection, he abruptly turned left and stopped across all lanes of traffic, Oberon said.
At this point, Matijasevic exited the vehicle and “immediately” opened fire on the officers and their squad cars, according to Oberon.
“Officers immediately returned fire,” he said.
Matijasevic then started running towards an In-N-Out that was still open at the time with patrons and employees inside. He then fell to the ground while continuing to shoot at officers. When he stopped moving, the officers approached him with the K9 unit, as he was still armed with a handgun, detailed the department’s public information officer.
“Matijasevic, who was struck by gunfire, was separated from his handgun and taken into custody,” Oberon elaborated. “Officers provided medical aid until paramedics arrived and assumed care. Matijasevic was transported to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased.”
In addition to the bodycam footage shared by NBPD, video from CountyNewsTV was also included. It provided a view from inside the restaurant and shows Matijasevic, who was a resident of Rancho Santa Margarita, shooting at officers and running towards the restaurant before falling to the ground.
Further footage provided by the department shows the incident from above, as a police helicopter was also overhead at the time of the shootout.
That footage provides a clearer view of Matijasevic running across El Toro Road, onto the sidewalk and attempting to jump over bushes in front of the In-N-Out parking lot when he fell.
The aerial coverage also shows Matijasevic in a seated position still firing at officers.
Since the shooting involved officers from both the Newport Beach and Irvine police departments — three from NBPD and one from IPD — both agencies will be conducting investigations into the incident.
The Orange County District Attorney’s Office Special Investigations Unit is also looking into the case to determine whether the involved officers’ actions were within the law.
In addition, officials with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department will handle the probe into criminal conduct of any suspects prior to and during the incident.
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