Santa Cruz Sheriff's Office Releases Video Footage of Officer Involved Shooting

The incident began on April 6 when three deputies with the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office approached what they have referred to as a suspicious vehicle parked behind a shopping center in Aptos. As deputies approached, they demanded the two occupants exit the vehicle. The driver was known to authorities as being involved in a prior incident involving illegal drugs and firearms. After some time the driver, Eli Burry, 40, of Soquel opened the driver's side car door to speak with Deputy Joshua McKim.

When explaining the contents of the video footage, Sheriffs say the deputies spotted what appeared to be a firearm in the car. While attempting to handcuff and detain Burry, Sheriffs say a taser was deployed, but was ineffective. The Sheriff's Office says Burry grabbed a gun that was next to him in his car, which prompted the deputies to retreat. Burry then exited the vehicle. Sheriffs say he fired a shot, and that Burry was telling them to shoot him. Burry was then shot by Deputy Colum Cecil-Wherity, who discharged his firearm five times in total, according to Sheriffs. Burry survived and was taken to the hospital, the Sheriff's Office stated in a press release issued on April 7.

According to the Sheriff's Office, the weapon fired by Burry was a "flare gun loaded with a shotgun shell".