Navy Vet Killed in Shootout That Injured Texas Officer: Bodycam Footage Released
TEXAS – A dramatic police shootout in El Paso left a Navy veteran dead and a female officer injured, according to newly released bodycam footage from the June 1 incident.
Authorities say the confrontation began when officers responded to a family violence call in a residential neighborhood. The man they encountered — later identified as 35-year-old Salvador Valdiviezo — was armed and appeared to provoke police into shooting, footage released by the New York Post shows.
Bodycam Shows Intense Shootout in Broad Daylight
El Paso officers were met by Valdiviezo in the driveway, where he allegedly opened fire almost immediately. The female officer yelped and returned fire, backed up by her male partner.
As bullets flew, the officers scrambled for cover behind a parked pickup truck. Valdiviezo advanced into the street, engaging in a back-and-forth exchange that lasted about 40 seconds, during which roughly two dozen shots were fired, according to the El Paso Police Department.
Officer Applies Tourniquet After Being Hit
In the bodycam video, the female officer is seen ducking behind the vehicle to reload. Moments later, Valdiviezo circles the truck and fires again, striking her in the leg.
Despite being hit, she maintains control, squats behind the vehicle, and quickly applies a Velcro tourniquet to her own leg to stop the bleeding.
“I’m hit! I’m hit! Ah, f–k!” she exclaims, still pointing her firearm at the suspect. Her partner radios in: “Subject down. I got an officer who’s shot.”
Suspect Fatally Shot After Refusing to Surrender
Both officers continued to demand that Valdiviezo drop his weapon and get on the ground. He was eventually struck multiple times — at least twice in the chest and once in the leg, bodycam footage confirms.
Valdiviezo was transported to a nearby hospital but later died of his injuries.
Victim Was a Navy Veteran and Registered Nurse
Valdiviezo’s obituary states that he was a registered nurse and a Navy veteran who had been honorably discharged. Details about his service or the reasons for his discharge were not disclosed.
The incident has stirred local conversation around mental health, veterans’ support services, and the dangers officers face during domestic disturbance calls.
Do you think more support services could help prevent confrontations like this? Share your thoughts in the comments at SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com.
