Body camera footage recently released by the Utah Police Department captured the shocking moment a 4-year-old boy in Utah opened fire on officers to try to prevent his father from being arrested by them
In footage released by the Utah Police Department in the US, officers are seen struggling to forcibly arrest a driver named Sadat Johnson, 27, who fled to his car after brandishing a gun at staff at a McDonald’s store in suburban Salt Lake City.
While the officers are pointing the gun at the suspect, one of the officers shouts “Gun” as one of them is seen standing in a combat stance with his weapon pointed at the occupants of the car.
The body cameras show several of the other officers running to the passenger side of the vehicle, their shocked reactions visible for all to see.
The disturbing incident took place in February, but the footage has only now been released. The officer is heard yelling “the boy” then one of the officers yells to be careful as he notices Johnson’s 3-year-old daughter as well as the 4-year-old son pointing a gun at the officers
“Are you okay, kid?” The policewoman asks to the sound of the children crying, “It’s okay” she tells them as they get out of the car.
Police alleged that Johnson “brandished a firearm at the employees” after being “incorrectly instructed to drive.”
The investigation determined Johnson told the boy to shoot the officers, authorities said. It is not clear exactly when he gave the order and it was not caught in the body camera footage.
The boy – who was taken into protective custody – said he shot at the officers because “he wanted his dad back,” according to court records obtained by ABC4. The father was later charged with child abuse by neglect and aggravated assault, third-degree felonies. The indictment for obstructing a police officer – canceled.
He received 120 days in jail and then three years of probation. Also, he must also go through anger management workshops and parenting courses and he will no longer be able to own a firearm. “I want to apologize for my actions that day,” Johnson said in court, “It was a very stupid mistake that I should never have made.”