ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — New bodycam video shows the intense moment police shot dozens of rounds at a suspect after he allegedly shot at an officer during a traffic stop in St. Louis County.
The video was released as part of a "critical incident briefing" from the St. Louis County Police Department, which detailed an October shooting involving Breckenridge Hills and Woodson Terrace officers. The suspect, Je'von Henderson, 30, is charged with first-degree assault of a special victim, among other charges.
The video was posted to the department's YouTube channel on Friday. It begins with a statement from the department, followed by a police narrative of the incident interspersed with police radio recordings and dash camera and body camera footage. The video is available here.
Traffic stop
County police said on Oct. 30 at around 4:30 p.m., A Breckenridge Hills officer started a traffic stop at the 9300 block of Calvert Avenue in the City of Woodland Terrace for a license plate violation and tinted windows.
Police said during the traffic stop, the officer suspected the driver, Je'von Henderson, 30, may have been driving while intoxicated and asked Henderson to exit his vehicle for a field sobriety test.
In the video, Henderson refused the test before the officer asked him to look for his insurance. While Henderson was doing that, the officer placed a spike strip along his rear passenger tire. Henderson is then seen driving away from the traffic stop, with the strip impacting his tire.
Police said the officer started a chase, with Henderson running multiple red lights while on flat tires. As Henderson entered the on-ramp to southbound Interstate 70 off Natural Bridge Road, two Woodson Terrace officers joined the pursuit.
Police said while Henderson was on the on-ramp, he lost control of the vehicle and crashed into the right-side ditch.
Shooting
In the video, the Breckenridge Hills officer began to approach the vehicle before at least one shot was heard. Police said this moment is when Henderson pointed a pistol at the officer and shot at him.
The officer is seen drawing his weapon before multiple shots are fired by him and the Woodson Terrace officers.
In the video, the Breckenridge Hills officer retrieves a long rifle from his trunk before officers continue to fire at the suspect vehicle.
Police said Henderson was struck by gunfire and taken into custody. He was treated at an area hospital.
Police said officers found a 9mm semiautomatic pistol and an AR-15 style pistol in the front passenger compartment of the vehicle. Police said officers also found a large amount of suspected marijuana on the floorboard of the vehicle.
Charges
Henderson was charged on Oct. 31 with first-degree assault of a special victim, armed criminal action and resisting arrest.
His case is still going through the court system, with his next appearance scheduled for Jan. 9.
