Newly released body camera footage shows a deadly shootout between officers and a man in Pasadena.
An officer was seriously wounded during the gunfire exchange, which occurred on March 2.
Police responded at about 7:30 p.m. after a man had been shot at the Sierra Madre Villa Metro station. When officers arrived, they found the suspect a few blocks away. A foot chase occurred, followed by an exchange of gunfire between the suspect and the officer — all captured on his body camera.
Although injured, the officer survived his injuries.
The suspect died at the scene. He was identified as 32-year-old Malcolm Buchanan, a Pasadena resident.
Along with the video release Friday, police also released the image of the alleged gun used by the suspect. His grandmother told ABC7 at the time that Buchanan struggled with mental health and was possibly off his medication at the time.
“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,” said Pasadena Police Chief Gene Harris. “I’m really proud that the officer relied on his training and really set in his mind that he was gonna get through this critical incident.”
The officer, Bryan Vasquez, is a 5-year veteran of the department. Chief Harris says he’s out of the hospital, but still on leave — describing his situation as a “long road ahead.”
“It’s gonna take some time before he can get back to work and even do things that are just normal,” Harris said.
Chief Harris said they’ve released the video after first showing it to the suspect’s family last night.
Authorities also released a video captured by a witness, which they believe shows the suspect sexually assaulting a second victim before running away.
The shooting remains under investigation.
