Newly released video shows Florida police officers fatally shooting a knife-wielding suspect during a pursuit.
According to the New York Post, officers armed with assault rifles went to a home in Jacksonville, Florida, on April 12 after receiving a report that suspect Matvey Klimenko was holding a knife to his girlfriend’s throat.
The suspect, who has a criminal record, broke into his girlfriend’s home and threatened to kill her with a knife, Jacksonville police said.
After hours of negotiations, police finally convinced Klimenko to release his girlfriend. But the suspect then tried to flee, running into the street and being chased by police.
Police then called in a police dog and found Klimenko hiding in a nearby garden.
Police video shows an officer ordering a K-9 to restrain the suspect. Klimenko was holding a knife and tried to fight back by stabbing the dog, despite police orders to drop the knife.
“Don’t let him stab the dog,” an officer shouts in the video. With Klimenko showing no signs of surrender, police fired multiple rounds from their rifles, causing the suspect to collapse. Klimenko was later pronounced dead.
Klimenko had a history of domestic violence, with his mother and sister both being threatened. The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said the incident is under investigation to determine whether the officers who fired their weapons followed protocol.
