SALT LAKE CITY — Salt Lake City police released body camera video showing a wild shootout late last month between officers and a suspect who had carjacked a vehicle.
After trying to carjack one vehicle on March 26, Matthew Cieslak successfully carjacked another in the area of 600 South and Interstate 15. When officers spotted and attempted to pull over Cieslak, he drove off and began a pursuit.
Soon after, Cieslak crashed the vehicle and engaged in gunfire with two Salt Lake City officers, which is seen in both of the body camera videos released Thursday.
Before opening fire, one officer exits their vehicle and tells Cieslak to drop his weapon and show his hands. Immediately after the command, shots began between the officers and Cieslak.
Body camera video below shows the encounter between the suspect and officers shortly before shots were fired
In one video, an officer is seen firing from behind the car before calling "shots fired" multiple times on his radio. The officer's weapon is seen and heard firing dozens of times.
Body cam video below shows officer firing at vehicle carjacked by suspect
Another video shows an officer firing into the vehicle Cieslak had carjacked. The officer reloads his weapon and then returns to firing at the car.
Cieslak died during the confrontation, but no officers were injured.
“This was a very dynamic, dangerous and traumatic situation for everyone, but I am proud of our officers for the way they protected each other and our community when faced with an unimaginable and deadly situation," said Salt Lake City Police Chief Mike Brown. "Our officers performed with great courage, tactics and professionalism while under fire in a life-threatening situation. Their will to survive and dedication to protecting each other and our community under stress is extraordinary. I look forward to their return to work after the investigations are complete.”
