By Joanna Putman
Police1
LOS ANGELES COUNTY, Calif. — The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department released body camera and surveillance footage of deputies stopping a robber armed with a shotgun.
The Jan. 27 incident began when a man, now identified as Jerald Hardcastle, 38, walked into a liquor store and pointed a shotgun at cashiers, surveillance video released March 6 shows. The cashiers can be seen giving Hardcastle black bags, likely full of cash. Hardcastle also stole merchandise from the store, according to the release.
Click below to see full video.
Deputies responded to the scene and quickly found a man matching descriptions given by 911 callers outside the store. Hardcastle did not comply with commands to put his hands up and walk toward deputies, according to the release.
After Hardcastle refused to put his hands up and move towards deputies for several minutes, the deputies prepared ballistic shields as well as TASERs and projectile launchers to approach Hardcastle.
Video shows Hardcastle raise the shotgun over his head as the deputies approached. As he begins to lower the weapon into firing position, several deputies fire shots at him. Hardcastle fell to the ground after the shots were fired, but resisted deputies when they attempted to place him in handcuffs, according to the release.
A deputy deployed a TASER at Hardcastle, at which point he told deputies, “I’m done.” He was detained without further incident.
Hardcastle sustained a gunshot wound to his hand and is expected to fully recover, according to the release. He faces charges of robbery, assault and felon in possession of a firearm.
