This NYPD bodycam footage shows a suspect who grabs a cop's gun and fires it several times while resisting his arrest. Although no one is killed, there are several injuries. Viewer discretion is therefore advised.

The video begins with the suspect, Melvin Butler, 39 years of age, being arrested for assault. The officer uses some pretty impressive verbal judo, suggesting that he will "remove Butler from the situation." Butler resists the officers' attempts to suggest he go quietly. When the officers go hands-on to effect his arrest, he begins to actively and physically resist at 01:27. During the struggle, Butler takes Officer Brennan's gun. Brennan is the officer from whose perspective we initially view the incident. Butler fires twice, hitting two of the officers that are trying to restrain him. The officers fire back, and blood can be seen beginning to splatter the floor.

02:08 begins the incident from other officers' perspectives. We can see the officers and Butler fighting for control of the weapon. The two officers struck by gunfire- Brennan and Acevedo, were treated at an area hospital, as was Butler. Ballistic reports show that Butler fired two rounds, Officers Acevedo and Lafaille fired three rounds each, and Sergeant Groth fired one.

After his release from the hospital, Butler was charged with the following: Assault (2nd), Attempted Murder (1st, LEO), Robbery (3rd), Criminal Possession (2nd), and other related charges. This started with a "he said/she said" misdemeanor, as initially stated by Brennan, but escalated to several felonies in relatively short order.

About the Author

Cole Simms

Cole Simms is an Air Guardsman, NASA enthusiast, police officer, and security contractor with particular experience in austere environments. Outside of work, he volunteers as a Stop The Bleed instructor for area schools. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Homeland Security and Emergency Management, and blends his knowledge and experience to write analysis for Funker530.

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