PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Portland police have officially released the body-worn camera footage capturing a fight where a suspect tried to grab and officer’s gun from his holster late last month.
The incident unfolded the morning of Sept. 27 around Oregon Park on Northeast 30th Avenue, when Officers Melissa Babasin and David Randall spotted a man who was believed to have been hitting passing cars with a red metal pole near Northeast 33rd over I-84.
The body-worn camera footage from the incident shows the officers found the man coming out of a bathroom in the park holding the metal pole, then attempting to take him into custody.
The suspect, identified as Bo W. Davis, began fighting with the two officers, attempting to take Officer Randall’s gun from his holster. During the struggle, backup was called and Officer Randall’s body-worn camera was knocked to the ground.
After Davis managed to pin Officer Randall, Officer Babasin attempted to deploy her taser. However, Davis continued to fight, placing his hands around Officer Randall’s neck.
Despite Officer Babasin knocking Davis in the back of the head with the taser handle, Davis again went after Officer Randall’s firearm.
At this point, Officer Babasin’s body-worn camera turned off and on twice.
The fight lasted over 4 minutes, officials said. Additionally, further investigation found Officer Babasin had used some kind of neck hold on Davis during the fight.
Davis remained conscious and alert, but was taken to the hospital for a medical evaluation.
Davis, 43, was booked into the Multnomah County Jail for attempted murder, robbery, assaulting an officer and menacing, along with an outstanding warrant.
No weapon was fired, but both officers involved were injured — one with a head injury, the other with an injured hand. Both were released from the hospital and are recovering at home, officials said.
Because of the level of force used, an investigation was launched in accordance with PPB policy.
Further, Officer Babasin was placed and remains on administrative leave, which is standard protocol for the use of deadly force, PPB said.
The full body-worn camera footage of the incident, shared by PPB, can be viewed here.
Anyone with further information on this incident is encouraged to contact Portland police.
Jenna Deml
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