Footage from a fatal officer-involved shooting where a man threatened officers with a hammer has been released.
Three Tahlequah, Oklahoma police officers were placed on administrative leave after shooting Dominic Rollice.
Police say the incident started as a disturbance call last Friday but escalated after Rollice grabbed a hammer.
*WARNING: Video in player below contains graphic language and content.*
In the video, Rollice can be seen holding the hammer with two hands, making it seem like he was possibly about to thrust the weapon at the officers.
Audio clearly reveals that the officers requested Rollice put down the hammer several times before taking action. Rollice can be heard denying their request and insisting he was doing nothing wrong.
When Rollice appears to rear back the hammer, two officers can be seen pulling out their guns and firing five shots. The third officer fired his Taser.
Chief Nate King says when it comes to weapon of choice, it's a split second decision that each officer has to make for themselves.
“They’ve got to be able to assess what level of threat they're facing and that rapidly changes,” said King.
Rollice was later pronounced dead at the hospital. The three officers involved will be on paid administrative leave as OSBI continues the investigation.
