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Bodycam Shows Antioch Officer Trapped in Getaway SUV Shoots Driver During Feb. 20 Robbery

The release sets up a use-of-force review ahead of a June court date in the felony case.

Overview

  • Antioch police published bodycam and store video from the Feb. 20 FoodMaxx robbery that shows an officer trapped in a fleeing SUV and a single shot to the driver's leg.
  • Police say a stolen SUV reversed through the grocery’s glass doors as three suspects entered and a worker reported a gun and threats.
  • Officer Travis Donaldson ended up in the passenger seat during a roughly two-mile drive where he ordered the driver to stop, tried to shift into neutral, and struck the driver’s arm with his gun.
  • About two and a half minutes into the drive, he fired once and hit 23-year-old Dominick DeSouza, who then crashed into a parked car, ran, and was arrested after officers found him hiding; DeSouza’s wound was non-life-threatening and the officer reported minor injuries.
  • Prosecutors charged DeSouza with kidnapping, robbery, assault on an officer, two counts of burglary, grand theft, and vehicle theft; he pleaded not guilty, remains in custody with a June 5 preliminary hearing, and the officers are on leave as Antioch police and the county DA review the shooting.