Irving Police Shoot, Kill Robbery Suspect With Hostage
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IRVING (CBS11) - Police officers in Irving were forced to fire at a robbery suspect who had a hostage in his arms.
Thanks to their steadfast shots, the only one who died was the suspect.
Through the lens of a witness using his camera phone, we witness an intense stand-off.
Irving Police versus a robbery suspect with an innocent woman as his human shield.
"She was really terrified," says Joseph Hajj, who recorded the video. "She's hanging on the thread of death. She's right there, and she's looking at death in the eyes."
Former sharpshooter John Setser knows what it's like on the other side of the gun. The retired SWAT officer says their main concern was for the hostage.
"At some point the officers felt like it had gone too far. The woman's life was in danger or other people were in danger, and they had to end it at that point," says Setser.
Two officers fired their weapons. Setser knows how they felt.
"The adrenaline is pumping. The adrenaline is up," he says.
He says there's no room for second-guessing accuracy.
"You're going to be sure before you take a shot like that. You're always going to be sure. But that's what officers train for," Setser says.
Setser says it was a textbook handling of a tragic situation. The hostage was freed.
"I'd say those guys did a great job," he says.
The officers are being placed on paid administrative leave. The identity of the suspect has not been released.
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