A 16-year-old California teen is dead after an officer shot him after a routine traffic stop, following a high-speed pursuit.
According to Stanislaus County Sheriff, Jeff Dirkse, the incident happened on May 18 at Torrid Avenue and North Carpenter Road in Modesto. Police attempted to stop a vehicle driven by 16-year-old Xander Mann.
Mann is accused of being non-compliant when Stanislaus County deputies pulled him over during a routine traffic stop. He sped away from the officer at the scene. At that point, Dirske said the Modesto Police Department joined in the pursuit.
After around 20 minutes of pursuit, Mann reached Finch Road and McClure Road in Modesto, where a deputy unsuccessfully attempted a ram maneuver. Mann then plowed his car into the officer’s vehicle. Dirske said four other teens were inside Mann’s car at the time.
Mann’s vehicle eventually crashed when officers performed a successful PIT maneuver. Deputy Gerardo Zazueta shot Mann at around 2 a.m. after the teen reversed her car and drove toward him, as Zazueta got out of his vehicle.
“As Deputy Zazueta exited his patrol car, he was immediately confronted with the vehicle driving directly toward him,” Dirkse said. “Deputy Zazueda had no time or place to retreat.”
*Warning: Video may be disturbing to some viewers*
Bodycam footage from another officer shows Mann’s foot still on the vehicle’s gas pedal as deputies pulled him out and began CPR. Mann was then taken to a local hospital, where he passed away.
The other passengers in Mann’s car are said to be OK. So far, no arrests have been made. It’s unclear why Mann fled from authorities.
The incident remains under investigation. Check back for updates.
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