New body cam footage shows tense standoff, shooting in SE OKC

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — New body camera footage shows the moments Oklahoma City Police were involved in an hours-long standoff a few weeks ago that ended with someone from the tactical unit shooting the suspect.

"We need you to come outside with your hands in the air. We can't leave until we talk to you. Come outside with your hands in the air," an officer said in the body camera footage.

Officers tried to get the suspect, Mario Cruz, out of his home on SE 41st Street earlier in September after a three-hour standoff.

Earlier that day, Joe Fitzgerald said he was walking in his neighborhood when things took a turn.

"I was coming across the street and I heard the gunshot and split second after that, I heard it hit the street and ricochet up, you know, sound like somebody throwing a rock in the street," said Joe Fitzgerald, a neighbor and witness.

He said his neighbor, Cruz, was firing shots in his direction.

"I stopped and I thought...he just shot at me," said Fitzgerald.

Fitzgerald said this isn't the first time he's encountered Cruz.

"He pulled a gun on us daily all the time. People walking down the street he'd pull guns on them," said Fitzgerald.

Once police got there, Cruz was inside his home and refused to come out.

"They had the whole street...cops and tanks and stuff. It was pretty wild," said Fitzgerald.

Officers tried to get Cruz out for hours before a tactical unit stepped in.

Hours later, officers said he crawled into the attic and then broke one of the walls.

"He pointed his firearm at officers multiple times from an elevated position," said Capt. Valerie Littlejohn, with Oklahoma City Police.

At one point, an officer was hit by shrapnel.

After that, Cruz jumped to the ground out of the attic and was confronted by the police tactical team.

"Cruz was given commands in both English and Spanish to drop the gun, but failed to follow the officer's commands. One officer discharged his firearm striking Cruz," said Capt. Littlejohn.

Cruz is still in the hospital but is expected to survive.

Police said once he's released, he will be booked into jail.

The officer who shot the suspect is on administrative leave during the investigation.