Video shows officer punching pipe-wielding suspect after fatal police shooting

A man was shot and killed by police in Fontana, California, on Tuesday after authorities said he attacked a civilian and officers in a violent rampage.

An officer with the Fontana Police Department responded to reports of a male suspect in the area of Cherry Avenue and Baseline Road using the pole to damage property and assault a person just before 2:20 p.m.

Police say the responding officer attempted to de-escalate the situation, but the man refused multiple commands to drop the weapon and surrender.

“During the encounter, the suspect attacked the officer with the pipe, resulting in a lethal force response from the officer,” a Fontana PD news release stated.

Footage recorded by a bystander shows an officer punching the suspect on the ground toward the end of the incident, apparently after he had been shot.

Police said the man was rushed to a hospital, where he later died from his injuries.

Ailah Ponla, who recorded the video, told KTLA that she believed the officer used excessive force.

“The Fontana Police Department is aware of a video circulating on social media that depicts a portion of the incident,” the release stated. “It is important to note that this video only shows a small portion of the event in its entirety. The Fontana Police Department is conducting an internal administrative investigation into the entirety of the incident.”

Authorities also said the officer sustained injuries during the attack and was taken to the hospital. The extent of his injuries and his condition were not immediately available.

Per protocol, investigators with the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department will handle the investigation into the fatal shooting.

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