Suspect bites a cop, goes for his gun before being fatally shot in return [VIDEOS]

The Pineville Police Department has released body camera video capturing a May incident in which an officer tragically shot and killed a man.

The victim, identified as 46-year-old Dennis Bodden, did not comply with the 22 verbal commands issued by police during the encounter.

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The incident began outside a Food Lion store on Johnston Road after an alleged shoplifting incident and later unfolded in the parking lot of a nearby apartment complex.

Bodden was already facing two outstanding felony warrants for multiple theft incidents at the Pineville Food Lion.

Authorities revealed that a total of six incidents involving Bodden occurred between April and May, leading both the store and police to ban him from the premises.

According to Bodden's family, he had been struggling with serious mental health issues that were exacerbated by the pandemic. His mother revealed that he had been diagnosed with bipolar schizophrenia and often experienced confusion about his surroundings.

Body camera footage released includes Sgt. Adam Roberts approached Bodden on May 14, following a distress call from the store.

Although Roberts clearly identified himself as a police officer, Bodden appeared startled by the officer's presence, possibly because he was wearing large headphones that may have affected his ability to hear.

As Bodden continued to walk away from Roberts, still carrying a bag of groceries, the officer repeatedly signaled for him to stop and get on the ground.

Ignoring these orders, Bodden walked onto Johnston Road, prompting Roberts to warn him to stay out of traffic. Roberts eventually pulled Bodden back to the curb, concerned for his safety.

Undeterred, Bodden proceeded to walk towards the driveway. Roberts then tried to handcuff him, but Bodden responded by biting Roberts on the arm.

In response, Roberts deployed a taser, telling Bodden not to move. However, Bodden managed to get up and proceeded to cross Johnson Road, abandoning the groceries along the way.

The two men continued their slow walk toward the Berkshire apartment complex, with Roberts waiting for backup. At one point, Roberts stood in front of Bodden, firmly stating, “You're not getting away, bro,” before the two engaged in pushing and shoving.

When Pineville Police Officer Randell Down arrived at the scene, he deployed a Taser, but missed Bodden, leading the fight to persist.

At that critical moment, body camera video captures Bodden turning back toward Roberts, his hand extended in the direction of Roberts' gun. In response, Roberts fired his gun three times, deeming Bodden an “imminent threat.”

The footage then shows Bodden stumbling and subsequently falling face-first into a nearby grassy area.

It took EMS more than 10 minutes to arrive after Bodden fell to the ground, as seen in Down's dashcam footage.

Roberts expressed concern about the risk of being bitten, acknowledging that Bodden had already bitten him severely. Down assured Roberts that he had successfully apprehended the suspect, stating, “The good guys always win.”

It is worth noting that Bodden's mother did not agree with the idea that her son was not a good person.