Videos released by St. Paul police Wednesday show a driver running from a stolen vehicle and turning toward officers with what prosecutors say was a loaded gun.
Two officers fired their duty weapons and injured the man in the leg.
Elliot Samuels Vaughn, 32, of Minneapolis, was treated at the hospital after the Dec. 21 incident and is now jailed. The Ramsey County Attorney’s Office charged him with first-degree assault, saying he attempted to use deadly force against two St. Paul officers by pointing the gun at them.
The police department released excerpts from a squad camera and the officers’ body-worn cameras on Wednesday, which has been the St. Paul department’s practice in recent years in instances when officers shoot someone.
“We are committed to releasing BWC (body-worn camera) and other video as soon as possible, while ensuring we don’t negatively affect the independent investigation or those impacted,” Police Chief Axel Henry said in a statement. “Thanks to our community and the BCA (Bureau of Criminal Apprehension) for supporting this process so we can provide the transparency and accountability we always strive for.”
The squad video shows officers driving after the stolen vehicle on the ramp to westbound Interstate 94 from U.S. 52.
After a rental car company found a Buick Envista had been stolen from its parking garage in Minneapolis, General Motors was able to electronically track the Buick and notified officers it was being driven in St. Paul. GM remotely slowed and stopped the Buick at 3:18 p.m.
Seconds after the driver opened the vehicle door and started running, with the squad following, the driver turned toward the squad with an object in his hand.
Officer Byron Treangen III, who was in the squad’s passenger seat, fired through the windshield, his body-camera video shows. The driver, officer Matthew Foy, stepped out of the squad and started shooting. Multiple shots were fired by police.
Vaughn fell down on the road. He was treated at a hospital for the gunshot wound to his leg.
The BCA is investigating the officers’ use of force.
In addition to assault, Vaughn is charged with motor vehicle theft. His attorney had no comment Wednesday on the charges against him.
A 37-year-old woman from Blaine, who was said to be the passenger who ran from the vehicle, was charged with drug possession.
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