Bodycam Video: Arizona Police Shoots A Man After Mistaking His Vape Pen For A Weapon

The Maricopa Police Department Tuesday released body camera footage and parts of 9-1-1 calls related to the investigation of an officer-involved shooting of a Homestead resident in March.

An officer shot Lawrence Knudsen, 56, in the 20000 block of MacNeil Street after the man had called 9-1-1, informed an operator he was outside his home armed with a handgun and told her to “just bring them,” referring to police. He met officers on the street outside his home.

The video shows an agitated Knudsen advancing on Officer Carmen Nylander, while she repeatedly yelled, “Back up! Back the f*** up!” He continued to advance with his hands in the air, holding an object in each hand. Nylander fired four shots at Knudsen from 6-8 feet away.

“F***” Nylander can be heard saying as Knudsen fell to the street and began to moan.

At the same time, Officer Timothy Nye fired his Taser weapon at Knudsen. (A third officer, Irene McCorry, also responded to the scene.)

At that point, Nye can be heard radioing for a man down, the video showed.

Knudsen was transported to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.