Police Lapel Cameras Capture Intense Footage of High-Speed 'Cop Killer' Chase

Police in Albuquerque, N.M., released intense lapel camera footage from a bullet-flying, 16-mile chase with a suspect who had the words "cop killer" tattooed on his knuckles.

Albuquerque police also released an autopsy report on the suspect, Christopher Chase, who was shot a total of eight times during the October 2013 pursuit.

Chase, 35, descended upon southwest Albuquerque on the morning of Oct. 26, dressed in body armor and camouflage and reported to be carrying an "assault rifle." He told witnesses to send a taunting message to police: He was waiting for them.

One officer fires his weapon through his own windshield in an attempt to stop the suspect. (Image source: PoliceOne)

Chase fired on the first officer to respond, and managed to steal that police cruiser. The pursuit that followed was captured on several police cameras, both lapel and handheld, and the edited video includes "sometimes graphic video of the officers as they were shot," according to the Albuquerque Journal.

The video footage is choppy and hectic, undoubtedly representative of the chaotic scene. The seven-minute video shows one officer wrapping another after he was shot in the leg, several officers assisting another wounded cop out of a vehicle and one officer shooting through his own windshield in an attempt to stop the suspect's vehicle.

One officer helps another wrap his bullet wound before proceeding on the chase. (Image source: PoliceOne)

From the Albuquerque Journal:

"Officers can be heard shouting expletives and instructions to each other as they try and comprehend the fast-moving situation. One video shows APD officer Daniel Morales as he gets shot in the leg, and another shows officers discussing how Chase had "half his head blown off" after the dust had settled.

The autopsy report showed Chase had three gunshot wounds on his neck near his sternum and another from a bullet that entered near the back of his head. Also, a bullet entered Chase's upper back, and he had two more gunshot wounds to his left arm. Chase also had a gunshot wound on his scalp, a "gaping" laceration that measured 6 inches long and 4 inches at its widest point, according to the autopsy."

Deputy Robin Hopkins, 45, was seriously injured when a bullet severed an artery in her leg. After multiple surgeries, she is on the road to recovery.

"As far as my leg, it's going to be a while. I still have about two more surgeries coming up and it's just constant, everyday towards getting better my rehab," Hopkins told KOAT-TV. More than 150 people have donated $13,000 to the "Fighting for Robin" online campaign.

The final scene shows how the chase ended, the suspect crashed the stolen police cruiser into a cement pole (Image source: PoliceOne)

The medical investigator said they tested for marijuana, methamphetamine, cocaine and opiates, but Chase was found to have no drugs in his system.

Content warning: Intense images and strong language

(H/T: PoliceOne.com)

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