This is the dramatic moment a man armed with a gun was chased down by brave police officers carrying only a taser. Heart-pounding footage of the dangerous foot race through the streets of Birmingham has been released by West Midlands Police.
Bodycam video shows how a 19-year-old with a loaded revolver was dramatically detained outside a school in the Winson Green area of the city.
West Midlands Police said officers were patrolling in an unmarked car near City Hospital on February 1, 2021, when a black VW Polo pulled across their path.
They were suspicious and after running quick-time checks on police systems activated their blue lights for it to stop – but as the driver pulled over a passenger bolted from the car.
A caption on the video footage released reads: “This is the moment we chase down a man armed with a loaded gun. A taser trained officer catches up with the 19-year-old in a Birmingham street.
“He bolted from a car as we pulled it over, but he didn’t get far before being arrested. And this is why he was running… We find a revolver stuffed in his waistband. The car he was in cut across one of our patrol units shortly before in Winson Green.”
During the recording of the incident as the car speeds away an officer in the patrol car says: “Y-M (control room) can you do us a check please. We’ve got a vehicle at speed.”
As the footage continues the caption says the “officers switch on their blue lights and indicate for the VW to pull over”.
Seconds later a man can be seen jumping from the car as he “does a runner”.
The police officer in the car radios in: “Y-M we’ve got one on foot from that car, just by the prison…Foundry Road.”
Off-camera an officer can be heard shouting: “Police with a taser.”
READ MORE: BBC accused of rewriting history with “woke” agenda
As the police give chase the suspect eventually gives in an lies on the ground as the taser is visible on camera held pointing at him.
As the man lies on the ground detained, the police officer removes a gun from his waistband and then asks: “Got anything else on you kid; what’s in there? You got a knife on you or anything? No sharp. Asking about the gun, the policeman asks: “It’s loaded is it?” to which the man on the ground replies: “Yes it might be.”
The man in the footage, Johniel Barrett, 19, was found to be carrying as a Webley Mark VI revolver loaded with a .44 Smith and Wesson cartridge.
Barrett, now 20, from Kilby Avenue in Ladywood, went on to admit possessing a firearm and ammunition. He was jailed for five years at Birmingham Crown Court on December 19.
West Midlands Detective Constable Steve Harris, said: “The officers showed great courage. They saw Barrett holding something near his waistband which they suspected was a firearm but gave chase nonetheless in order to protect the public. Barrett was running towards a school and the officers were determined to get to him before he posed a risk to anyone else.
“They were equipped with tasers and challenged Barrett, ordering him to the floor, when they found their suspicions were accurate about the gun,” he continued.
“It’s another lethal weapon off the streets and a young man now paying a high price for his involvement with illegal firearms”.
DON’T MISS: Prince Harry corrects himself over “slip-up” comment over Meghan
