FORT WORTH, Texas – Body camera footage was released by Fort Worth police that provides more insight into an officer shooting a robbery suspect earlier this month. The incident took place on Jan. 7, when officers responded to a robbery at a 24-hour vape shop. The suspect, identified as Walker Cadd, 37, was armed with a crowbar when he entered the store, prompting a 911 call from a store employee.
Upon arriving at the scene, officers found Cadd, who then fled into an open field and was later discovered hiding in a backyard. When confronted by the officer, Cadd refused to comply with orders and instead walked toward the officer, prompting the officer to fire two shots, one of which hit Cadd in the leg. After receiving first aid at the scene, Cadd was taken to a hospital for treatment and later booked into the Tarrant County Jail on multiple charges, including theft and attempting to take a weapon from the officer.
Fortunately, no one inside the vape shop or any of the officers involved were injured in the incident. The officer involved in the shooting has been placed on “significant event leave” while the department investigates the encounter. Fort Worth Police Chief Neil Noakes emphasized the impact of officer-involved shootings on the individual, the community, and the officer, expressing a desire to avoid such incidents whenever possible.
The release of the body camera footage sheds light on the circumstances surrounding the shooting, providing important details for the ongoing investigation. This incident serves as a reminder of the complexities and potential dangers that law enforcement officers face in the line of duty. The Fort Worth police department continues to address the aftermath of the shooting and work towards understanding the events that transpired on that day in January.