Fort Worth police on Monday released body camera video and 911 audio recordings detailing the moments before an officer shot and injured a 33-year-old man who had allegedly approached the officer with a firearm.
The shooting occurred Thursday night near a residence in the 4200 block of Bonita Drive.
Police said the man, identified as Alejandro Serrano, approached the officer with his gun raised and ignored commands to lower the weapon, prompting the officer to fire. As of Monday afternoon, Serrano remains hospitalized in stable condition.
The officer, who has been with the department for four years, was placed on leave while the major case unit and internal affairs investigate, police Chief Eddie Garcia said. The officer has not been publicly identified.
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“We recognize the seriousness of police shootings and are committed to transparent and thorough investigations.” Garcia said during a news conference at the Bob Bolen Public Safety Complex. “The shooting is not only a reminder of the dangers police officers face but the dangers of illegal gunfire.”
Officers in the area were originally sent to investigate a domestic disturbance call, which Serrano was determined to not be associated with, Garcia said.
Serrano faces charges of aggravated assault of a public servant and deadly conduct, according to police. He has a history of mental health issues and has had previous interactions with officers, Garcia said. The police chief did not provide details about those previous run-ins with officers, however.
Police also published recordings of witnesses calling 911 to report hearing Serrano firing rounds of 10 to 20 shots in the neighborhood.
“Serrano had fired approximately 30 rounds in the neighborhood, and two handguns were found on his person, one of which was stolen,” Garcia said.
The video shows the officer stopping near the end of the street and stepping out of his vehicle as Serano is firing his gun toward a home on the corner.
The officer can be heard asking Serrano to “please drop the gun” several times before the officer fires his weapon. Police did not publicly say how many times the officer shot and struck Serrano.
Another officer is seen arriving at the scene and giving commands for Serrano to drop his gun as he falls to the ground.
Police proceeded to handcuff Serrano and provide medical aid before he was transported to a hospital by the Fort Worth Fire Department, the video showed.
No other individuals were injured during the shooting.
There has been no determination on why Serrano was firing his gun in the area as the investigation is still in preliminary stages, Garcia said.