A Douglas County sheriff’s deputy from Colorado reacted in an almost undetectable split second when Deyon Marcus Rivas-Maestas, 25, suddenly emerged from what Deputy Brad Proux thought was a disabled vehicle on the side of the road. The motorist had a rifle in his hands and attempted to strike the officer as he alighted from his SUV.

Deputy Proux, a six-year veteran, shot Rivas-Maestas once in the arm and held him on the ground until back-up arrived. The rifle wound up being unloaded and police have no idea why the man attacked the officer who stopped to help the stranded motorist.
Douglas County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Steven Johnson said, “This incident occurred very, very quickly. I speak for every law enforcement officer: When you hear ‘Shots fired. Shots fired,’ it’s the worst thing that can happen.”

On video the actual attack is so brief that it’s nearly impossible for anyone viewing the footage to notice the rifle or the actions of Rivas-Maestas. In addition, on first viewing, the deputy firing two shots is almost undetectable.