Suspect Had His Hands Up When Officers Opened Fire — but Police Say This Graphic Video Tells the Whole Story

Police in McMinnville, Oregon, released graphic dashboard camera footage on Monday showing the deadly officer-involved shooting of a suspect outside a 7-Eleven last month. Family members have argued that the suspect, identified as Juventino Bermudez Arenas, had his hands up and intended to surrender, but police claim the video proves officers faced a “lethal threat.”

Officers responded to the scene after Arenas allegedly stabbed a college student several times at the McMinnville 7-Eleven. The student, Parker Moore, ended up dying from his injuries.

Arenas apparently later returned to the scene of the crime. Family members claimed he returned to turn himself in.

(McMinnville Police Department video)

However, when police confronted the suspect, he was still clutching a knife in his hand and appeared “agitated.”

Officers can be heard in the video ordering the suspect to drop the knife. Instead, Arenas continues to move towards the officers, the knife still in his hand. Three police officers then opened fire, firing a total of 15 bullets and fatally wounding the suspect.

Watch the footage below -- the deadly confrontation begins at around 6:45 (WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT):

Yamhill County District Attorney Brad Berry said in a Monday press conference that the officers faced a “lethal threat” as the suspect approached within 10 to 12 feet of them.

Berry also said the investigation into the fatal stabbing of Moore is "basically over" and appeared to be completely random.

(H/T: KGW-TV)

Editor's note: This story has been updated to correct one reference that incorrectly identified Moore as the suspect.

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