Fresno police release video of officer striking armed suspect with patrol car
Fresno police have released body camera, dash camera, and security footage of an August 20 incident in which an officer struck an armed suspect with a patrol car during a foot chase near the River Park Shopping Center.
The video above is from a previous story and will be updated.
Police say the suspect, 18-year-old George Ruiz, fired a gun at a passing vehicle in a restaurant parking lot at North Blackstone and East El Paso avenues around 5:30 p.m. No one in the vehicle was injured.
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An officer on an unrelated call in the River Park area heard the gunfire and ran toward it.
As he arrived, he saw Ruiz run across Blackstone Avenue and followed him, witnessing Ruiz attempt to carjack a vehicle.
The driver escaped, and Ruiz continued running toward the Sam's Club parking lot.
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Additional officers arrived in a patrol car and spotted Ruiz, who appeared to reach for a gun in his waistband.
That's when the officer behind the wheel struck Ruiz with the patrol car. Body camera footage shows the car was traveling between 10 and 19 mph at the time of impact.
The collision threw Ruiz to the ground and caused the loaded handgun to fall out of his reach.
Ruiz was quickly handcuffed and later treated at a hospital for leg pain.
Police say Ruiz admitted to the shooting. He has been charged with shooting at an occupied vehicle, firearm offenses, and resisting arrest. In court, he plead not guilty to all charges.
Ruiz has no previous criminal history. His bail is set at $575,000.
The investigation into the use of force is ongoing, and findings will be handed over to the Internal Affairs Unit and the Office of Independent Review.
The video contains content that may be hard to watch and strong language. Viewer discretion is advised.
