Axe Vs. Police

Orange County deputies fatally shot a suspected car burglar who, as revealed in body camera and surveillance footage released on Friday, approached them carrying an axe. The incident took place on June 14, following 911 calls reporting a man breaking into vehicles on Van Buren Street in Midway City.

Multiple videos unveiled on Friday depict deputies approaching the suspect as he searches through a car parked in a gated driveway. Upon noticing that the suspect is armed with an axe, the deputies swiftly withdraw to the entrance of the driveway.

They repeatedly instruct the man to "Drop the axe! Drop it!" However, instead of complying, the individual proceeds to advance toward them, clutching the axe in his right hand.

The deputies continue to issue stern commands, urging the suspect to "Stop! Don't move!" until he closes in to within a few feet of them, at which point they open fire.

The suspect falls to the ground, having sustained several fatal gunshot wounds. Authorities are presently in the process of conducting a critical incident review to assess whether the deputies' actions were justified.