The dash cam footage of an armed man, who was rammed by Marana Police vehicle in February, is shocking viewers across the world.
Mario Miranda Valencia was being pursued by Marana Police after he allegedly stole a rifle from a Walmart and fired the gun in the streets.
According to police, Valencia, age 36, was struck after he put the gun to his head and then refused to cooperate with the officers.
“That officer should be commended,” said Jeff Prather, an expert in the tactical shooting and driving. “The violent armed felon had fired a round that could have struck a child, he was moving towards populated areas, resisting arrest. He could have dropped the rifle put his hands up and gone prone. He did not. The MPD officers could have stopped, exited their units and tried to exchange handgun against rifle fire – but they would have been outgunned. They may have had shotguns, but they would have been outdistanced. Some may have even had patrol rifles. But in the time required to stop, put the unit in park, grab their rifle, exit the vehicle, the suspect could have easily shot them, through their windshield and vests.”
“The second officer used the best option to stop the threat,” continued Prather. “The first officer is lucky the suspect did not simply turn and shoot him through his windshield. He was certainly in range.”