N.Y. Police Shoot Suspect After He Stabbed An Officer Through His Ballistic Vest

* (Disclaimer: This video content is intended for educational and informational purposes only) * Niagara Falls, N.Y. — Niagara Falls police released bodycam video from an altercation where a man was shot after he lunged at officers with a knife. Niagara Falls police say it started as a domestic incident Friday. Officers arrived at 80th street and Niagara Falls Boulevard near the Rite Aid after someone called 911 saying a man was in the backyard of a woman he had sexually assaulted in the past that she had an order of protection against him. That’s where they found the 29-year-old suspect, Reginald Barnes. Officer Greg Paul approached Barnes to place him in custody, but he pulled away. He fell to the ground and got up. In the body cam video, investigators say officer Dominic Senese deployed a taser which had no effect on Barnes and that’s when he pulled a knife and stabbed the officer. Seeing the stabbing attack, Officer Greg Paul and Lieutenant Joseph Scibilia shot Barnes. The video shows Barnes put his hands up as he is hit by the gunfire and he falls face forward on a patch of grass. Barnes’ body then rolls to a stop at Paul’s feet. The suspect was given first aid at the scene and was transported to Erie County Medical Center. He remains in critical condition. Police said officer Senese sustained minor injuries when the suspect slashed him with the knife in the back and on the arm. Niagara Falls Police released only 30 seconds of body camera video. It does not contain audio. Falls officers’ body cameras are not always recording, but when the cameras are activated, they are able to save the last 30 seconds of footage captured before activation. That portion, however, does not have audio, Police Superintendent John Faso said. Every officer’s body cams are able to recover that clip of footage, which had been temporarily saved, even though the device wasn’t recording, he said. Donate to PoliceActivity: Like us on Facebook: Follow us on Twitter:
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