A Buffalo Police officer shot and killed a man who sped off with a 6-year-old child in the front seat of his car during a traffic stop. The incident was captured on heart-racing bodycam footage.
Officer Ronald Ammerman stopped 25-year-old Dae’von Roberts shortly after midnight for speeding and having tinted windows, according to the Buffalo Police Department.
Ammerman noticed a 6-year-old boy in the front seat without a seatbelt, who Roberts initially identified as his “little cousin” and then as “his nephew.”
After asking for identification, Ammerman discovered that the ID presented by Roberts was invalid, and he did not have a license in either state.
When Ammerman attempted to do a different search for Roberts’ name, the suspect suddenly accelerated, taking off with the officer holding onto the car door.
Ammerman pleaded with Roberts to slow down and let him out, but Roberts continued driving erratically, even attempting to kick Ammerman off the car while the child cried.
Ammerman fired several rounds at Roberts, causing him to fall out of the moving vehicle onto the street.
After the shooting, Ammerman checked on the child in the car, who was unharmed.
Roberts was taken to the hospital but was pronounced dead. Ammerman, with minor injuries, was also hospitalized and later released.
A loaded handgun was found under the driver’s seat of the car, which did not belong to Roberts.
The Buffalo Police Commissioner deemed the use of force justified, considering the risk to Ammerman’s life during the incident.
Both Ammerman and Officer Jonathan Crawford, who was present during the incident, have been placed on administrative leave.
Investigations into the shooting are underway by Buffalo homicide detectives and the Internal Affairs Division.
Roberts had previous charges related to a weapon and endangerment during a memorial for his half-brother. He was released under supervision in June.
Gramaglia expressed sympathy for the family involved in the tragic events.
