Scottsdale Police Release Video Footage of Fatal Shooting by Officers

Scottsdale police have recently made public a “critical incident briefing” that includes snippets of body-camera footage depicting a hostage rescue operation resulting in the death of a man in November. The Scottsdale Police Department spokeswoman, Sgt. Allison Sempsis, confirmed that detectives responded to an area in Mesa near Horne and Broadway Road on November 13. Their mission was to rescue a kidnapping victim who was inside a vehicle along with two men, identified as Rene Calderon, aged 45, and Wyatt Edge, aged 43. These men were suspected of involvement in an armed robbery several weeks prior.

According to Sempsis, the detectives approached the vehicle at approximately 11:47 a.m. when it pulled into a parking lot. One of the suspects entered a nearby restaurant. The briefing footage shows multiple cars driving into the vehicle, effectively blocking it, as the detectives exited their cars with guns drawn to approach the suspects.

Calderon immediately began firing at the detectives using a fully automatic rifle, while wearing body armor, as Sempsis revealed. In response, four detectives returned fire, while the hostage managed to escape from the car and sought shelter behind a nearby vehicle.

One detective’s body-camera footage captured the intense moment as he exited his vehicle from the passenger side while gunshots echoed in the background. The detective approached the suspect’s vehicle where other detectives were already present with their weapons drawn. Eventually, the detective fired shots into the vehicle, which Sempsis explained was due to Calderon’s continued movement and his gun being pointed at the detectives.

Another detective’s body-camera footage exhibited him exiting his vehicle and promptly shooting multiple rounds into the car using his rifle. During this exchange of gunfire, police vehicles were hit by Calderon’s shots. Additionally, the footage from another detective’s camera showed the hostage fleeing from the car. The detective approached the hostage and reassured other detectives that they had secured the individual.

The hostage, presumably a man, expressed gratitude towards the police officers as captured in the footage. Furthermore, a detective noticed that Calderon was still breathing and immediately called for a trauma kit. However, despite medical intervention, Calderon ultimately succumbed to his injuries and passed away.

Sgt. Allison Sempsis confirmed that one detective sustained minor injuries and received treatment at a hospital before being discharged. Additionally, police successfully apprehended Wyatt Edge, who willingly surrendered from inside the restaurant.

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During the ongoing investigation, the detectives involved in the incident have been placed on leave. The Scottsdale Police Department is conducting both administrative and criminal inquiries. The criminal investigation will be carried out by the Mesa Police Department, and the findings will be submitted to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office.