Video Of Tucson Police Shooting Kidnapping Suspect Released

TUCSON, AZ — Authorities in Tucson on Sunday released video footage from the police-involved shooting of James Nicholas Pacheco, a 37-year-old kidnapping and sexual assault suspect.

Footage from the body camera worn by Police Officer Daniel Garcia shows Pacheco charging at the officer after a foot pursuit entered a desert area near North Alvernon Way and East Paradise Falls Drive in midtown Tucson. A close look at the footage shows Pacheco was armed with two bayonets, long knives police said are typically attached to military rifles, when Garcia shot him.

Tucson Police Sgt. Richard Gradillas said officers were in the area after an off-duty police officer called 911 to report Pacheco, wanted in a sexual assault police said occurred in the 8000 block of East Senate Street on April 9, in the area with a female acquaintance.

Both Pacheco and the woman fled on foot into the desert area after police arrived, Gradillas said in a news release.

Pacheco has been hospitalized at Banner - University Medical Center with life-threatening injuries, according to Gradillas. When he's released, police said Pacheco will be charged with kidnapping, sexual assault and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer.

Watch the video here. Viewer discretion is advised.

The Tucson Police Department's Office of Professional Standards is investigating the actions of the officers involved, which is "standard protocol in all officer-involved shootings," Gradillas said.