Modesto PD release body cam footage of shooting that left officer critically injured

3 years ago
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The Modesto Police Department released body camera footage Friday night of a mid-August shooting that left an officer in critical condition, where he ultimately had to have part of his right leg amputated.

Around 10 p.m. on Aug. 14, a traffic officer spotted a motorcyclist driving recklessly, according to Modesto police. The officer attempted to pull the driver over and they fled, leading to a chase.

The motorcyclist was later identified as 34-year-old Joshua Harrington of Modesto.

A Stanislaus County sheriff’s helicopter responded and located Harrington at a home on the 3100 block of East Orangeburg Avenue, police said. Officers arrived and soon after, Harrington exited the house and surrendered. He was searched and found to be in possession of drugs for the purpose of sales.

Police said officers obtained a warrant to search the home. During the search, a person, later identified as 42-year-old Jesse James Brooks of Modesto, started shooting at police and hit an officer, identified as Michael Rokaitis. Officers returned fire and hit Brooks.

Video released by police shows Chief Brandon Gillespie giving background on the shooting, and moves into the body camera footage of an officer attempting a traffic stop on Harrington. The video soon switches to aerial footage, showing Harrington weaving through traffic, and eventually stopping at the home on 3100 East Orangeburg Avenue.

Officers are heard saying Harrington is walking to the door and police are planning a perimeter around the home.

The video then switches back to body camera footage, where officers are seen standing outside the home and telling two men to put their hands up and get on the ground.

Shortly after, police were able to get a search warrant for the home because officers had "probable cause to believe additional contraband could be found in the residence."

Through more body camera footage, police are heard saying over the PA in a patrol vehicle that officers have warrants and suspects should surrender peacefully. Two women and a man are seen walking out to officers and being detained.

Another officer’s body camera footage then shows a group of officers walking into the home with guns drawn.

Video shows officers searching the home, and as they go to clear the last bedroom, several gunshots are heard and officers are seen falling to the ground.

Officer Rokaitis is then seen covering a wound on his stomach with his hand while being pulled out by other officers telling him to "keep pressure." Another officer is heard saying the officer was "shot in the stomach."

The suspect, Brooks, is then seen covered in blood with his arms up as officers point their guns at him and take him into custody.

The last body camera video shown has officers loading up Rokaitis into a patrol vehicle to be taken to a hospital.

Gillespie said Rokaitis had seven surgeries and ultimately had to have part of his right leg amputated. He added that Rokaitis was in the ICU for 12 days in critical condition and is now stable.

Modesto Police and the Stanislaus County District Attorney's Office are still investigating the incident.

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