Body Camera Captures Dramatic Officer-Involving Shooting of Texas Felon

Just-released police footage from Bryan Police officer Steven Laughlin’s body camera shows the dramatic encounter he had February 13th with recently-released felon Calvin Baker.

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The Bryan Police Department released body camera video Wednesday, showing what Officer Steven Laughlin saw when he shot an unarmed man on February 13th.

Officer Laughlin was called to Mallard Drive for a disturbance. The video shows Calvin Baker shielding the right side of his body. Officer Laughlin then asks him to show his right hand and Baker refuses. Police said the refusal lead the officer to believe that Baker had a weapon.

“That’s all I want to do is see your right hand man,” said Laughlin in the video.

“Are you ready?” Baker replied.

“Stop saying that man, all I want to do is talk to you man,” said Laughlin. Baker repeatedly asked Laughlin if he was ready.

“All I want to do is talk to you,” said Laughlin.

Baker reaches his pocket Laughlin took cover behind his patrol car, which lead the officer to this last plea for cooperation.

“I ain’t dropping nothing,” said Baker.

“Don’t make me do this.” said Laughlin. Bryan police say that Baker removed the black object he had in his pocket. Laughlin fired five shots hitting Baker. He was taken to a local hospital where he recovered.

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As a recent graduate of Vehicle Close Quarters Combat (VCQB) Instructor school where I spent 40 hours specifically focused on fighting around cars, I’m very impressed both with Officer Laughlin’s attempts to verbally deescalate the situation, and his use of the various points of cover provided by his police cruiser.

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If you want an example of an officer doing everything as well as could be expected in a very tense situation, this is it.

I’d note that Mr. Baker was not killed in the incident, and is currently recovering from his injures, despite what appears to be an attempted “suicide by cop.”

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