Dashcam Video Released Of Fatal Shooting

Newly released video shows the events leading up to and the use of deadly force by a Greene County sheriff's deputy on Oct. 4 in Republic. It shows the reality of the time frame that officers have to make life-and-death decisions.

Motorists' reports came in at 8:23, 8:39 and 8:50 p.m. of a possible intoxicated driver headed west on U.S. 60 (James River Freeway in Springfield). At 8:41 p.m., Michael Williams called 911 to report his girlfriend, Tammy Robinette, had left Mountain Grove in a green minivan, drunk with an 18 pack of beer and a .38 caliber revolver. Williams told the Missouri State Highway Patrol call-taker that Robinette might be suicidal.

Greene County Sheriff's Deputy Matthew Keatts, who was dispatched to the DWI report while he was in Springfield, found out one minute before spotting the van that the driver might be suicidal and armed. He pulled Robinette over on James River Freeway near Highway MM in Republic at 8:56 p.m.

The video shows Keatts approaching the van and knocking on the window.

"Roll the window down. Roll the window down," Keatts said.

When Robinette did not comply, he opened the door. Robinette didn't comply with the deputy's requests to turn off her phone, unbuckle her seat belt and step out of the vehicle.

"Step out of the car," Keatts said.

"No," Robinette said.

"Unbuckle your seatbelt and step out of the car, okay," Keatts said.

"No," said Robinette.

Keatts began questioning Robinette about how much she had to drink. Keatts says Robinette then raised a pink handled, silver barreled handgun and, as he retreated, he heard a click. Keatts made a split-second decision and fired five shots, hitting her four times, once fatally in the head.

Robinette's death was confirmed, and the investigation began.

"The investigation was made that much easier by having that video to be able to check the statements of the officer and then to check against the radio traffic as well," said Greene County Prosecuting Attorney Dan Patterson.

The prosecutor determined the use of deadly force was necessary for Keatts to protect himself from serious injury or death.
The autopsy confirmed Robinette died of a gunshot wound to the head. Her blood alcohol level was .225, nearly three times the legal limit for drivers.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• raw video
• dashcam
• dashboard camera
• fatality
• fatal shooting
• shots fired
• cops
• police
• trooper
• dui
• drunk driver
• dancing queen

[Liquid827]

Sad that so many people can't get over their hatred for cops,rather taking the side of a drunk-driving idiot who would carry a gun (probably illegally) and try to use it on a guy who's just trying to get a drunk driver off the road. You morons would be whining a different story, crying "where were the cops when her drunk ass ran her vehicle into a family of 5 killing them all". This guy was clearly not power-hungry as some of you claim; made evident by his expletive at the end of the video.

[chiefjessej]

He did EXACTLY what he was trained to do and Was justified! Well Done! Its a very difficult choice to use a weapon. We never want to, but some times have to. When you pull a weapon out on another person, in this case a Police Officer, you make the choice to get into a gun fight. That Officer has NO CHOICE! Its a stop the threat situation!

[isaacrolfe]

@LukeL007 I though I was the only one who heard that LOL

[BustedRecruit]

Good job Officer.

[changeofaddress1]

what's that sound of ghostly laughter at 2:10?

[Derail07]

@RedSoxBowHunter - Fuck you to Yank die slow

[RedSoxBowHunter]

@SuperJesusHChrysler i forgot you had to ask to see thier hands when they point a gun at you...sorry thanks for the correction law student

[RedSoxBowHunter]

@Derail07 fuck u cunt

[Derail07]

Well DID she really pull a gun up or a cell phone? They never secured a weapon.. The whisper @3:38? Was that a gun planting confirmation

[DrmFrk80127]

@rbratcherjr Youre just a dumb fucking nigger or just a complete moron. I hope you have the stupidity to pull a weapon on a cop and you get shot you ignorant vile waste of life.

[surf403]

@rbratcherjr YOURE A FUCKING MORON,.  JUST KEEP POSTING SO YOUR RETARDED FAMILY HAS SOMETHING TO READ. DUMBFUCK.

[rbratcherjr]

What if she never had a gun, the cops shot her & then they got away with the murder? I bet he shot her & she was unarmed. Killer cops thats all these pigs are!! And I bet they get to kill other people too.....