Body cam footage released by Buffalo police reveals a harrowing encounter where an officer shot and killed a driver attempting to flee a traffic stop while dragging the officer. The incident unfolded early Wednesday on Kensington Avenue, with the officer pulling over Dae’von Roberts for speeding and illegal window tint. Roberts, unable to produce a valid ID, suddenly accelerated, dragging the officer who held onto the vehicle.
Buffalo Police Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia described the perilous situation, with the officer yelling, “You’re going to kill me!” as the car reached 60 mph. The officer fired five shots, leading to both men falling from the moving vehicle. The car rolled for another 100 feet before stopping. A 6-year-old child in the car was unharmed, and the officer sustained minor injuries.
Roberts was later identified as the half-brother of Jaylen Griffen, a 12-year-old whose remains were found in an attic after being missing for four years. Police are probing any connections between Roberts and his half-brother’s death. Gramaglia stated, “When you take into account the fact that the officer found himself in a grave risk of serious physical injury or death, the use of that level of force is justified.”
This incident highlights the extreme dangers faced by law enforcement and the split-second decisions they must make to protect their lives and the lives of others.
