Bodycam, surveillance videos show shooting that killed suspect who stole mail truck, water taxi
By: -----
Fort Mohave, AZ - Two Bullhead City police officers who fired their weapons in a shootout that killed an armed suspect have been identified, and authorities have released portions of bodycam video from the shootout.
Erick Tom Watkins, 48, was shot by officers after he shot at them when they found him on April 3 during an investigation that involved a stolen mail truck in Fort Mohave. As the investigation proceeded, Watkins pointed a gun at Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department officers in Laughlin, ran from the scene and stole a boat and took it to the Arizona side of the Colorado River.
Bullhead City officers Matt Sloan and David Cornelison were identified as the officers involved in the shooting.
The video shows the moment when officers spot Watkins in the parking lot of an apartment complex in the 1600 block of U.S. Highway 95, which is the main road through Fort Mohave and Bullhead City on the Arizona side of the river.
Sloan’s bodycam video shows him entering the complex, and Watkins begins firing a handgun at him as he gets out of his police vehicle. Sloan returns fire.
As the shootout is happening, Cornelison arrives and begins firing.
Watkins was struck several times, and died at the scene despite lifesaving efforts by police. By the time paramedics from the Bullhead City Fire Department arrived, Watkins had died.
Police said a records check later revealed Watkins had several felony arrest warrants out of California, including possession of obscene materials of a minor and forgery.