BODYCAM: Union City Police Shoot Suspect Using Vehicle as Weapon
Bodycam footage from the Union City Police Department in California shows the tense standoff that ended in the officer-involved shooting of Rafe Stowers, 33. Officers were responding to an urgent call at an Extended Stay Hotel regarding a potential hostage situation.
Stowers, who reportedly had an extensive criminal record of at least 45 prior arrests, disregarded verbal commands from officers and entered a Honda vehicle.
The tension peaked when Stowers began reversing the vehicle, apparently aiming it toward the officers. One officer, perceiving a deadly threat to himself and his colleagues, discharged his firearm, firing a single round at Stowers and neutralizing the threat. Stowers was pronounced dead at the scene. An internal investigation concluded that the officer’s use of lethal force was justified and within department policy.