Bodycam Footage Unveils Havasu Officer-Involved Shooting on Oro Grande Blvd.

LAKE HAVASU CITY — The Mohave County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) released body camera footage on Thursday pertaining to an officer-involved shooting that occurred on August 1. The officer in question, identified as Joey Venegas, has been with the Lake Havasu City Police Department for a decade.

Emergency services responded to a domestic violence incident around 9:07 p.m. in the 3400 block of Oro Grande Boulevard. According to MCSO investigators, Venegas and the shooting suspect, 32-year-old Damien Michael Myers, engaged in a physical confrontation after Myers displayed a firearm. Venegas discharged his weapon but did not hit Myers, who fled the scene on foot. He was subsequently apprehended without further altercation.

The body camera footage begins with Venegas moving through a residential area, where he converses with a neighbor. Upon reaching a residence, raised voices are audible. When a woman, later identified as Myers’ wife, answers the door, she informs Venegas that she wishes for Myers to leave due to a prior incident at her workplace involving him.

Myers soon exits the residence, disregarding Venegas’s commands. As the confrontation escalates, he pushes past the woman and runs away from the scene, prompting Venegas to initiate a foot pursuit while notifying dispatch. At this moment, Myers can be heard threatening to shoot Venegas, followed by two gunshots. The footage cuts off as Venegas surveys the area with his firearm drawn.

After the incident, investigators discovered that Myers had buried the firearm in a nearby wash. During questioning, he admitted to drawing a pink handgun from his pocket while fleeing. The firearm was recovered by detectives the same evening.

In accordance with standard protocols, outside law enforcement agencies will assist in investigating the officer-involved shooting to prevent any potential conflicts of interest. The investigation remains ongoing, according to MCSO spokeswoman Anita Mortensen.

Brandon Messick of Today’s News-Herald contributed to this report.