TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) - A man is facing charges after he was shot three times by police after firing at officers during a chase at mobile home park last weekend, authorities said.
The Tucson Police Department released body camera video on Tuesday that shows a chase between officers and Fernando Valenzuela. It ends with police shooting Valenzuela three times.
Valenzuela, 34, was taken to a hospital and was in stable condition as of Tuesday. He is charged with aggravated assault on a police officer, illegally possessing a firearm and unlawful discharge of a firearm, the Arizona Daily Star reported.
Tucson Police Chief Chris Magnus said Valenzuela had guns in each hand and pointed at an officer before being shot. Magnus said three mobile homes and an office building were struck by bullets from the gunfight.
The two officers have been placed on paid administrative leave, which is customary during shooting investigations, Magnus said. He said body camera footage showed a “very dangerous if not downright chilling pursuit” by the officers. He added that the officers showed “courage and composure under fire.”
Officers were called to a mobile home park on Saturday for a report of a stolen vehicle, police said. They said officers had seen the car earlier in the day but the driver fled an attempted traffic stop.
A responding officer said he saw several people in the vehicle, who got out and ran.
A man who exited the car, later identified as Valenzuela, fired at the officer before running into a nearby mobile home complex. He was shot multiple times after a lengthy chase, police said.
Three other people were detained, but no charges were expected to be filed against them, police said. A fourth person fled without being captured.
It wasn’t immediately clear if Valenzuela had an attorney who could comment on his behalf.
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