The Bellevue Police Department released the following body worn camera (BWC) footage today illustrating the close call officers and the community experienced over the weekend. Law enforcement efforts in this case protected Bellevue residents and the greater Puget Sound community from a potentially deadly situation during last Saturday’s I-90 incident.
The footage, compiled in a one minute and thirty-six second clip shows the moments when officers left their vehicles and engaged with 42-year-old Sokphana Soeung, the driver of a stolen black Mercedes sedan. Thanks to efforts by Bellevue Officers and Washington State Patrol Troopers, Soeung was arrested without being able to light an improvised explosive device (IED) he had in his possession and was actively trying to ignite.
“Saturday was a very dangerous, life-or-death incident. Had it not been for the courage of Bellevue Police Officers and our partners at the Washington State Patrol, the situation could have ended in tragedy,” said Wendell Shirley, Chief of Police for the Bellevue Police Department. “I cannot thank Bellevue Officers enough for their dedication and professionalism in the work they carry out each day, because it all counts – especially for moments like this.”
Below is an official transcript of the entire clip from the Bellevue Police Department:
FORMAT: TIMESTAMP, TIME OF DAY, DESCRIPTION
0:00-0:05: Bellevue Police Department Intro
0:05-0:16 (12:31:13): Bellevue Officer exits vehicle and runs toward the suspect who is eluding police on foot. He passes two marked Bellevue Police SUVs on the left, an unmarked black Bellevue Police SUV on the right, a marked Washington State Patrol SUV, and the stolen black Mercedes sedan used by the suspect. The officer joins other officers as they pass a final marked Bellevue Police SUV on the right.
0:16-0:35 (12:31:25): The BWC footage is slowed down to show, frame-by-frame, 42-year-old Sokphana Soeung turning around and attempting to light the IED while Bellevue Officers approached him.
0:35-0:37 (12:31:27): A Bellevue Officer uses force to bring Mr. Soeung to the ground. It is at this moment where the IED is ejected from Mr. Soeung’s hands and rolls toward the south hazard land on Westbound I-90. An officer also audibly yells “Drop the knife!” during this moment – unaware an IED was in the suspect’s possession.
0:37-0:45 (12:31:33): Bellevue Officers and a Washington State Patrol Trooper detain the suspect on the ground. The suspect is audibly heard surrendering to law enforcement.
0:45-0:47 (12:31:36): Unaware an IED is present at the scene, a Bellevue Officer kicks away the lighter the suspect used in his attempt to light the IED.
0:47-0:59 (12:31:47): A Bellevue Officer recognizes the IED and informs other responding officers and NORCOM of the device’s presence at the scene of the arrest.
Bellevue Officer: “I believe that’s a bomb. Hold on. [Inaudible] Suspect threw an IED or some kind of explosive.”
1:00-1:10 (12:31:48): Bellevue Officer notifies the arresting officers that an IED is present and to move away as quickly as possible from the scene. Another officer picks up a body worn camera that fell onto the interstate.
Officer: “As soon as you stand, back away. IED! IED!”
Officer: “Get him up. Let’s go! Let’s go! Let’s go!”
1:10-1:30 (12:32:08): Bellevue Officer turns off sirens to his marked department vehicle. Other officers carry a detained Mr. Soeung away from the IED and to the hazard lane on the north end of Westbound I-90.
Officer: “Call the bomb squad. He threw out an explosive device. He was trying to light it.”
NORCOM: “Copy.”
1:30-1:36: Bellevue Police Department Outro
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