Dramatic bodycam footage shows the moment US cops shoot hammer-wielding thug dead
An Oklahoma police chief has defended his officers saying the killing was ‘necessary’
SHOCKING footage shows cops shooting dead a man wielding a hammer who told officers "one of us is going to die tonight."
On Friday, Oklahoma authorities released a bodycam video of the horrific incident showing officers Brandon Vick and Josh Girdner gunning down Dominic Rollice, 49, on August 12.
In the disturbing video, Rollice is shown repeatedly refusing to follow the cop's request for him to drop the hammer.
Rollice is then filmed moving his hammer-hand back at which point the police open fire.
Tahlequah Police Chief Nate King said the move indicated a possible intent to attack.
King said the officers' reaction was "necessary, not just justified."
He said: "Mr. Rollice reached for a hammer and all three officers heard him say, 'One of us is going to die tonight'."
A third officer Chase Reed, who fired a Taser at the victim, performed CPR on Rollice before medics arrived at the scene.
King said: "It brought tears to my eyes to see how Officer Reed stayed poised, stayed compassionate to a man who had just threatened to kill our officers, or basically made the threat that someone was going to die."
She said: “Hey, can I get somebody to come over to my house? My ex-husband is in the garage. He will not leave. He's drunk and it's gonna get ugly real quick."
The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation is investigating the shooting and will provide a report to the district attorney, who will decide whether the shooting was justified.
The three cops involved in the incident have been placed on paid administrative leave.
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