Chilling video released of shooting that claimed life of East Valley police officer

PHOENIX – The Apache Junction Police Department released chilling video Thursday from the fatal shooting of Officer Gabriel Facio five months ago.

The footage, including images captured by body-worn cameras and bystanders, is part of a Critical Incident Briefing (WARNING: graphic images and language) detailing the deadly June 2 incident.

The briefing starts with audio from a 911 caller reporting that a man in a Tesla is “flashing his gun” on Ironwood Drive.

An officer on traffic enforcement duty spotted the vehicle heading south on Ironwood Drive and pulled it over near Radiance Avenue.

“The officer talked to the driver, asked if he had any weapons, asked for ID and tells him to step out of the car. The driver is identified as Roger Nunez,” said Cmdr. Cindy Ewer, the briefing video narrator.

What happened after Apache Junction Police stopped suspect?

Nunez was then seen taking a handgun out of his glove compartment before exiting the vehicle. The officer pulled out his duty weapon and backed away while ordering Nunez to drop his gun.

“You have to shoot me,” Nunez was heard saying.

More officers arrived on the scene and followed Nunez as he walked south on Ironwood Drive and west onto Radiance Avenue while carrying his gun.

While using a patrol vehicle for cover, police fired a pepper ball gun at Nunez, but it was not effective.

“As the officers moved closer, Nunez fired at them immediately, striking officer Facio in the face, and officers returned fire and Nunez fell to the ground,” Ewer said.

Cellphone footage taken by a witness shows Nunez bringing up his gun before the shootout.

“Officers rushed to save officer Facio. They put him in a patrol car while Nunez was still posing a threat, lying on the ground with a gun in his hand,” Ewer said.

Nunez continued to ignore commands and got up while holding the gun. An officer then fired one shot, and Nunez fell back to the ground.

Officers then slowly approached Nunez, who was on his back with the gun a few feet away.

“Roger Nunez was arrested and transported to the hospital for a gunshot wound to his torso,” Ewer says.

Apache Junction Police officer dies six days after shooting

Facio was driven to a hospital in a patrol vehicle before the incident was resolved. He died of his injuries on June 8. He was 46 years old.

Facio, a three-year veteran of the department, was a husband, father and grandfather and had a daughter who was preparing to get married at the time of his death.

Nunez was eventually released from the hospital and booked into jail on multiple counts, including first-degree murder. He is being held on a $2 million bond.

Pinal County prosecutors said they would seek the death penalty against him.

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