A man in Florida armed with an AK-47 assault rifle has died in a hail of bullets in a shootout with the cops following a high-speed chase through Tampa after he stabbed the mother of his kids 13 times, as this footage shows.
The suspect, named as Michael A. Bresnahan, 33, can be seen in the adrenaline-filled footage crashing an SUV and apparently opening fire on the police, with the cops then returning fire and peppering the vehicle in a barrage of bullets.
He had stabbed the mother of his young children, named as Crystal Bresnahan, 13 times.
The police said that he stabbed her in front of the kids and left her bleeding. She remains in hospital in stable condition.
After the stabbing, the suspect fled with the children, unnamed, before dropping them off at his brother’s house.
He then stole an AK-47 assault rifle that belonged to his brother and led police on a wild chase through Tampa in the black SUV.
Tracked by a police helicopter, as can be seen in the footage, the cops tried to use spike strips to stop the vehicle but he drove around them.
The footage shows the driver of the SUV crashing through a fence before hitting a car.
Bresnahan then reportedly began shooting at the police from his car.
Bodycam footage shows how 18 police officers returned fire, according to local media.
Bresnahan died with police saying they believe it was a self-inflicted gunshot wound that killed him.
Despite a number of bystanders seen in the footage standing nearby, no one was injured and no officers were injured.
The authorities are investigating the police-involved shooting but local media reported that they are being lauded as heroes.
A witness named as Sabrina Turner, a mother of six who was driving to work hospital when she became surrounded by gun battle, said: “I’m going to die. I’m going to die. I just knew I was going to get shot. I just didn’t know where.”
She added: “I just kind of hunched down, and tried and take cover. I felt like I was going to get hit by one of the bullets.”
But she survived with no police officers and she praised the Tampa police officers, who she said pulled her from her car to safety.
She said: “I can’t even express my gratitude.”
Newsflash obtained a statement from the Tampa Police Department on 19th July saying: “Tampa Police have positively identified Michael A Bresnahan, a white male (DOB: 10/22/1989), as the armed suspect who was killed during an officer-involved shooting on July 17.
“After responding to the report of an adult female being stabbed, Tampa Police officers spotted the suspect vehicle. When the driver, later identified as Bresnahan, pointed an AK-47 at officers, they engaged in a pursuit.
“Body-worn camera and aviation footage show the suspect failing to stop his vehicle, driving erratically, crashing through fences, and avoiding stop-sticks, before crashing into a car of innocent community members.
“Immediately after the crash, evidence indicates gunshots were fired from Bresnahan’s car. Eighteen Tampa Police Officers discharged their weapons in response, believing Bresnahan posed an ongoing threat of imminent danger to additional community members and police officers.
“Bresnahan appears to have died as a result of a self-inflicted gunshot; however, final autopsy results are pending.”
The statement added: “The involved officers are currently on paid administrative leave, which is standard procedure. This remains an active FDLE investigation, which is also standard procedure for any officer-involved shooting.
“The adult female, who was stabbed thirteen (13) times, remains in the hospital and is currently listed in stable condition.”
Police Chief Lee Bercaw said: “Our hopes are for a full and rapid recovery for the victim who has survived such unimaginable trauma.
“Our Victims Advocate will be working tirelessly to ensure that this woman and her children are connected with the resources they may need to recover from this life-altering event.”
The investigation is ongoing, and a Go Fund Me page has been set up for the mother. (https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-for-crystal-and-children)
