Armed Kidnapper Was Untouchable Until a Distant Police Sniper Turned the Tables

Editor’s Note: Our readers responded strongly to this story when it originally ran; we’re reposting it here in case you missed it. Holding a baby in one hand and a firearm in the other, a kidnapper presented police with…

IJR SyndicatedJun 11, 20223 min read

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followed Alcantara as he left a house in an SUV. When officers attempted to pull the vehicle over, things took a dangerous turn.

A woman jumped from the driver’s seat and informed Police that Alcantara was armed with her infant inside the car.

In those few moments, Alcantara moved behind the wheel and sped away. Police chased him across the state border, eventually stopping near the town of Beaver Dam, Arizona.

Alcantara fled into the desert with the infant, pointing the gun at the child and threatening to shoot.

Body camera footage from the St. George Police Department, released June 10 through a KUTV-TV public records request, shows the kidnapper’s strategy failed soon after a sniper arrived on the scene.

A soft click is all that would have been heard as he toggled the safety on his rifle off.

Alcantara, hiding in the brush with the young hostage, made a clean shot nearly impossible. The sniper tried in vain to acquire a clear sight on the target.

Video shows him trying different positions before apparently deciding to move with the group to engage the kidnapper directly.

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Things ended quickly with Alcantara shot by the sniper and the danger eliminated. Officers rushed to secure the infant and control the suspect.

The baby was uninjured, while Alcantara was dead at the scene.

It’s clear things could have ended much worse.

In a situation as delicate as this, everyone (except the bad guy) benefits from Police having a wide array of tools and training at their disposal.

While the proper gear and the ability to use it are essential to any good officer, the courage to confront evil despite the danger is paramount.

This article appeared originally on The Western Journal.