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Texas police body cam video shows fatal shooting

By Amy R. Connolly

PALESTINE , Texas, July 2 (UPI) -- Police released body-camera video that shows the final moments that led up to the fatal shooting of a pellet-gun wielding man.

The video shows the May 31 shooting of James D. Bushey, 47, who pulled a weapon later identified as a pellet gun when being questioned by police about stealing a case of beer.

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The nine-second video shows Sgt. Gabriel Green and Officer Kaylyn Griffin approach Bushey in a restaurant bathroom as he was washing his hands.

"What do you need?" Bushey asked the officers.

"You're a suspect in reference to a theft case. I need you to step out please," Green said. "Don't act dumb for me. Come on and step out. Okay? You're on video."

As the two officers escorted Bushey out of the restaurant, Green knocks some knives on a table as they passed by, presumably out of Bushey's reach.

When they moved outside, Griffin asked Bushey, "Do you have your ID on you sir?"

In a split second, Bushey is seen drawing a weapon that looks like a 9-mm handgun from his right pocket and pointing it at the officers. Green appears to grab Bushey by the collar and push him away as Griffin screams, "Gun, gun, gun." Green fired at least 13 shots and Griffin fired at least five.

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"It's very unfortunate that the police officers were put in this position," Palestine Police Capt. James Muniz said. "They felt that they had no choice but to defend themselves at that time."

Both officers have since returned to work following a police investigation into the shooting. They were cleared of any wrongdoing.

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