Quote:
In this particular case, Officer Coons and Officer Pachick were armed with their department issued DPMS 223 caliber 5.56mm rifles and their Glock 40 caliber handguns. After hearing a knock on the door, the Taco Bell manager, Paul Price, opened the door allowing the suspect/robber access to the interior of the building. Paul Price was taken hostage and used as a human shield by the suspect. Officer Coons stated that the suspect grabbed Mr. Price and put his left arm around him (Price) and "jammed the gun" either in his ribs or just above his ribs. The suspect starts to advance towards Officer Coons and Officer Pachick. Officer Coons and Officer Pachick were both sitting on the floor when the suspect entered the building and took Mr. Price hostage. Both officers immediately react to the threat with Officer Coons jumping up off of the floor with his rifle, taking the safety off, and firing two (2) shots in the direction of the suspect and Mr. Price.Officer Pachick said that when Mr. Price opened the door, he saw someone in the doorway wearing a hooded sweatshirt with the hood over their head and a bandanacovering their face. Officer Pachick instantly starts to stand up and attempt to remove his firearm from the holster. Officer Pachick "yanks" on the firearm several times before he realized the holster safety is on. Officer Pachick was between 4' and 5' feet away from the suspect and knew he had to take cover. While in the process of trying to takecover. Officer Pachick sees a second person behind the hooded suspect. Once Officer Pachick was able to get to his firearm out of the holster, he took cover. Officer Coons believed that the suspect/robber posed a threat to Mr. Price, Officer Pachick, and himself. Officer Coons feared for his safety and feared others would be killed. The entire situation took place In a space of two (2) to three (3) seconds. Based on the statements of Officer Coons, Officer Pachick, and Paul Price, the officers'decision to draw their weapons was In accordance with policy.
Aside from Tim Pachick's bumbling attempt to draw his weapon it appears Doug Coons attempted to fire a third shot but his weapon jammed. I wonder if the manager realizes how lucky he was that night to only have been shot once by Coons! One can only wonder how many shots he would of fired in his rifle hadn't jammed.
Quote:
The weapon used in the shooting was Officer Coons' department issued DPMS 223 caliber 5.56 mm rifle, model M-160, serial number M004338, which was loaded with twenty-five (25)rounds of Issued Homady 223 REM ammunition in accordance with SWAT Team Training Lognumber 07-24 (Book 1 - Tab 16). According to Forensics Supervisor Stringham, after theshooting the magazine still contained twenty-two (22) rounds; there was one (1) Homady 223REM found jammed in the chamber; along with two (2) rounds having been fired from OfficerCoons' rifle based on physical evidence found at the scene.