Car thief in TV suicide was violent criminal
Source: Agencies |
October 1, 2012, Monday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
A man who stole a car at gunpoint, shot at Phoenix police officers and then led them on a chase that ended with his suicide broadcast on national television has been identified as a wanted felon with a long criminal history.
Jodon Romero, 33, was wanted for violating his parole for a weapons conviction and had numerous other violent crimes in his background, police spokesman Sergeant Tommy Thompson said.
At the end of an hour-long pursuit on an interstate west of Phoenix on Friday, Romero pulled into the desert and an officer shot at him.
Although Thompson said it appear the shot missed, television footage shows Romero stumbling and falling down and appearing to feel his torso before walking into bushes.
That's when he shot himself in the head.
Fox News was covering the chase using a live helicopter shot. Anchor Shepard Smith told viewers that the video was supposed to be on a delay so it could be cut off if something went awry.
"We really messed up, and we're all very sorry," Smith said minutes after the suicide aired. Fox apologized for showing the incident.
Thompson said police did everything in their power to de-escalate the situation, but Romero seemed intent on continuing a crime spree that began with a minor incident where he apparently hit a passing car with his hand, leading to a call to police.
As officers were heading to the south Phoenix area, they learned that a Dodge Caliber sedan had been stolen at gunpoint from a nearby restaurant parking lot.
They spotted the car and gave chase.
Jodon Romero, 33, was wanted for violating his parole for a weapons conviction and had numerous other violent crimes in his background, police spokesman Sergeant Tommy Thompson said.
At the end of an hour-long pursuit on an interstate west of Phoenix on Friday, Romero pulled into the desert and an officer shot at him.
Although Thompson said it appear the shot missed, television footage shows Romero stumbling and falling down and appearing to feel his torso before walking into bushes.
That's when he shot himself in the head.
Fox News was covering the chase using a live helicopter shot. Anchor Shepard Smith told viewers that the video was supposed to be on a delay so it could be cut off if something went awry.
"We really messed up, and we're all very sorry," Smith said minutes after the suicide aired. Fox apologized for showing the incident.
Thompson said police did everything in their power to de-escalate the situation, but Romero seemed intent on continuing a crime spree that began with a minor incident where he apparently hit a passing car with his hand, leading to a call to police.
As officers were heading to the south Phoenix area, they learned that a Dodge Caliber sedan had been stolen at gunpoint from a nearby restaurant parking lot.
They spotted the car and gave chase.
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