The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) has released body camera footage that shows the shooting death of a retired Supercross motorcycle racing star during a police confrontation. Tyler “One Punch” Evans, 38, was suspected in a domestic violence case, and he shot himself on video outside of the Rampart Division police station on Sept. 15.
“Rampart uniformed officers along with a Rampart supervisor responded to the front of the station, contacted Evans and attempted to apprehend him. Evans refused to comply with the officers’ directions, resulting in the deployment of a 40mm less-lethal munition,” said the office.
Then, Evans grabbed his gun and shot himself in the head, the LAPD said. Officials said he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Before the shooting, he could be seen walking out onto the sidewalk.
“Get on the ground!” one officer told him. “Get on your knees!”
“What the [expletive] is going on?” Evans yelled at him.
“I’ll tell you in a second,” the officer said. “Just do what you are told!”
Police then hit him with the “40mm less lethal-munition” weapon, which the officers called a beanbag. He was struck in the side and fell over.
“Alright, alright, I’m down!” he said. But then, he reached into his pants pocket, pulled out the gun, and shot himself.
No officers or other individuals were injured in the altercation.
The LAPD wrote that “detectives responded to the incident and will conduct a thorough investigation.” The event will ultimately be reviewed by the chief of police and other officials.
“Additionally, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Justice System Integrity Division will conduct a comprehensive review of the facts of the incident. Anyone with additional information regarding this incident is urged to call the LAPD,” read the news release.
“Tyler raced 10 seasons as a professional racer. In the last five years of his career he raced Supercross only. Tyler had four podium finishes in the 125 class in Supercross and multiple top ten finishes in the 250 Supercross class. He was a fan favorite to many inside the stadiums as he was both a showman and a racer. Rest in peace, Tyler,” the magazine wrote.
