LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Louisville Metro Police has released officer-worn bodycam footage after an officer shot a man armed with an "AR-style" pistol last week near Wyandotte Park.
On Nov. 13, a neighbor called LMPD saying there was a “domestic incident” outside their home in the 1100 block of Beecher Street. The neighbor said a woman was running and two men were fighting in the street.
"It is very important in having community involvement in keeping our city safe," LMPD Deputy Chief Paul Humphrey said. "This was the primary source of information for us on this call, and this is ultimately how we ended up in this situation."
Humphrey said when officers arrived, they found a woman with multiple injuries to her face, including a black eye.
WARNING: Video below contains graphic content. Viewer discretion is advised.
Authorities also found 38-year-old Jaron Bobbitt sitting outside a residence in a car. Humphrey said Bobbitt was holding the pistol before running away from officers.
Officer O'Sha Rogers and another officer then began to chase Bobbitt through neighbors' yards and eventually down Camden Avenue. Throughout the video, Bobbitt can be seen holding the pistol, at times turning around to face officers.
Rogers frequently demands he drop the weapon, and Bobbitt verbally says that he will, but continues to run. Moments before the officer shoots Bobbitt, he can again be seen pointing the firearm at the officers.
While on the ground, Bobbitt can be heard saying the gun was a toy, however Humphrey said it was in fact a real gun loaded with real bullets. "That is as deadly as it gets," he said.
The video then shows police rendering aid to Bobbitt, who was later taken the hospital for his injuries.
Bobbitt has been charged with wanton endangerment of a police officer, assault, being a convicted felon in possession of a handgun, and fleeing or evading police.
'Severe danger to the public'
Deputy Chief Humphrey said Bobbitt has a lengthy criminal history with prior felonies and gun-related crimes, calling him a "severe danger to the public."
"Being armed with that type of weapon, and then resisting police commands, run through a neighborhood that's obviously occupied by homes and people -- he presents himself as a very immediate threat to the public," Humphrey said.
"I think we're very fortunate as a community that this person is now off the streets and hopefully he stays off the streets for an extreme amount of time, or at least until he's aged out of this inability to make good decisions," he added.
Despite Bobbitt repeatedly saying he would drop the gun, Humphrey said: "His actions don't reflect that."
"This person's behavior is not congruent with what he's saying," he added. "Your words can say all kinds of things, but if your actions are presenting a threat, we have to handle that threat appropriately and sometimes that means we ultimately end up using force...It's a difficult decision to make."
Rogers, who graduated from LMPD's police academy in August, has no prior complaints or disciplinary history.
Humphrey commended the rookie officer for pursuing the suspect and staying calm, saying he did very well having just graduated from the academy.
"This is a dangerous job, it takes a special type of person to be able to do this job and to do it well, it's not easy, but it's very rewarding," he said. "No one wants to go through what Officer Rogers just went through. You hope that you go through your entire career without ever having to shoot anyone, but that's not the case for everyone."
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