According to the Marana, Arizona Police Department, authorities were trying to arrest Mario Valencia, who had been suspected of multiple crimes, including a reported armed robbery involving a rifle at a nearby Walmart, multiple thefts and setting a church on fire. Moments into the video, a gunshot is heard as Valencia was walking down the street reports Tucson News Now.
When being followed by the police, Valencia pointed his weapon at his head, threatening to take his life before running away. Then Officer Michael Rapiejko drove into the man in an attempt to end his alleged violent spree.
After the incident, Valencia was taken to the University of Arizona Medical Center, staying there two days before being arrested and booked into jail.
Police released the dash cam footage to show that the officer’s actions were to stop and apprehend the man.
Marana Police Chief Terry Rozema defended Officer Rapiejko actions claiming, “If we’re going to choose between maybe we’ll let him go a little bit farther and see what happens, or we’re going to take him out now and eliminate any opportunity he has to hurt somebody, you’re going to err on the side of, in favor of the innocent people.”
Valencia also allegedly stole a vehicle, only to abandon it, and when he was confronted earlier by the police.
Rapiejko also served with the Tucson and New York police departments before joining the Marana police.
