On January 11th of 2023, deputies were called to a shopping center in Santa Clarita following a routine trespassing report. At that point, nobody could have expected the encounter to change so dramatically just minutes later. >> Sheriff's Station, Deputy Dan Ford, how can I help you? >> Hello. Um just calling from the West Valencia Mall. Just calling because we basically have this transient who was He was causing issues at first, but we found him sleeping in front of Macy's. We tried talking to him and let him know, you know, it's private property, you can't sleep here, but he does not want to leave at all. Like he just basically he wants to start a fight whenever we go up to him to try and make him leave. Thank you. >> Um do you want us to come there and trespass him? >> Yeah, basically. Like just to come down here and just make him leave property because whenever we try to talk to him, he just gets really irate and just basically just says, "Well, I'm going to get out of here before I put one of you in a chokehold." Stuff like that. >> All right, what's your address here? >> There were no reports of a weapon, and there was nothing to suggest that anyone had been injured. Deputies approached expecting a standard interaction, but the body camera footage would soon show that the situation was far from what it initially appeared to be. >> What's your date of birth? Okay. So, look. I'm just coming over cuz the security for the mall. >> Yeah, I'm not going to move at all. I will actually comes here. >> Okay, well, we don't want that. >> I don't care. That's what I'm wearing, man. >> Okay, look. I'm just trying to talk to you, okay? >> Okay, I'm going to sleep right here, so you can do what you want to do. You're either protecting the fan or I'm going to [ __ ] destroy your [ __ ] human being. >> The deputy understands that the opening moments of an encounter can have a major impact on everything that follows. Rather than respond to aggression with the same behavior, they try to keep the situation under control. >> Understand? >> I understand, but why are you coming at me like that? >> Well, I'm just letting you know. >> And I'm just letting you know, too, okay? >> Don't tell me what to do at all. >> not letting you know I'm not telling you what to do. >> Okay. >> I'm just letting you know what security has advised us, okay? >> I am security for the whole country. >> Okay. >> You want Iran and China to [ __ ] bust your nut or what? >> No, not at all. >> Well, I'm going to tell you >> that? >> Listen to me. >> Did I say that? >> Shh. Just listen. >> No, I'm telling you right now >> Listen to what >> No, I'm not We're not doing that. >> what? >> Hey, you better step back, dude. Step back. >> I'm going to >> You better step back right now. >> get the [ __ ] out of here now. >> The suspect's behavior grows more unpredictable, leaving deputies with less certainty about what he could do next. >> I'm going to fight. I'm going to fight. Stay still. Don't fight. Dude. Stop me. Come any closer, I'm going to shoot you. I'm going to shoot you, dude. >> I'm going to >> I'm going to fight. >> I'm going to >> Stay still. Don't fight. >> I said get the [ __ ] out of here now. >> Get up. Stop. Get on the ground. Dude, I'm going to shoot you, dude. Stop me. GET UP. GET UP. STOP. STOP MOVING. I'm going to get you, dude. Stop. Shots fired. Shots fired. Fire. Fire. I'm from your location. In front Lower level. Suspect down. Stop. Do not move. Do not move. Do not move. He needs to stop responding. I'm at the lower level next to the parking lot. >> Okay. Relax. Relax. Breathe. Hey, can you hear me? Tired? >> Yeah, I am. >> 998? >> Fight. Yes. >> Does he have a gun? >> But he does not have a gun. I did not see anything on him. I can't >> Only one suspect? >> Only one. >> Let's see see if that's a firm. Go ahead and roll 902R. One suspect down. No outstanding. >> One suspect down. >> You want me to >> Just stand by. Hold on. What did he have a gun or a knife? >> He He He nothing. He just came at me. He started hitting me really bad. Then I went down. >> Okay, just relax. It's fine. >> These moments are frequently overlooked when looking at an officer-involved incident. Deputies must communicate [music] with the dispatch, maintain control of the scene, and make sure the suspect receives medical attention as quickly as possible. >> Relax. Breathe. I'll secure your gun. Sir. Where'd you shoot him? >> Um the chest area. >> The chest? >> Yes, upper chest. >> Okay. Give me a second. Does he have any weapons? >> No, he He nothing. He just came at me. I didn't see any weapon on him. >> All right. Sir. He's still breathing. Sir. Where'd you shoot him? Where's his >> It's on the right side. area. Don't worry. >> Do you have shears? >> Yeah, right there. >> Christopher Lee Mercurio was taken to a hospital in the area, where he was later pronounced dead. Deputy Lorena Gonzalez received treatment for injuries [music] sustained during the assault, and was subsequently released. Under California's Assembly Bill 1506, the California Department of Justice took over the investigation, reviewing body camera footage, witness [music] statements, and physical evidence before bringing the case to a close. If you enjoy body cam analysis videos, don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell. Thank you for watching, and I'll see you in the next one.