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(VIDEO) Cheyenne police body cam shows suspect using officer’s stun gun before police repeatedly strike him to gain control

Screenshot from Cheyenne Police Department footage showing suspect using an officer's stun gun against him during an April 5, 2024, traffic stop. (Cheyenne Police Department)

WARNING: Video contains strong language and images that could be disturbing to some people. Viewer discretion is advised.

CHEYENNE, Wyo. — Police body and dash camera footage of an April 5 traffic stop at East 6th Street and Russell Avenue shows how a suspect attacked an officer with his own stun gun before other officers took the man to the ground.

Yzail Gauna, 26, was found to have outstanding warrants during a traffic stop on Friday at about 11:30 p.m. The warrants were for domestic battery and a probation violation.

Body-worn camera footage shows that officers approached the vehicle — occupied by Gauna, three other adults and an infant in the backseat, none of whom were secured by any seatbelts, a Cheyenne Police Department news release states.

(Cheyenne Police Department)

When officers asked for Gauna’s name, he provided a false identity. Officers became suspicious and ordered Gauna to exit the vehicle. He ignored commands and became verbally combative. A woman and child were also asked to exit and complied.

While arguing with officers, Gauna began reaching into his pants pocket, which contained a knife. Officers commanded Gauna to stop multiple times. The officer then attempted to remove Gauna from the vehicle, and he became physically violent, pushing the officer and attempting to run away.

During the altercation, Gauna grabbed the officer’s Taser and used it against him, driving it into his collarbone.

Officers delivered baton strikes to targeted zones — the thighs, right triceps and right lat — in an attempt to gain control of Gauna’s right arm and prevent him from reaching for his pocketknife.

Officers were able to detain Gauna and he was taken into custody.

Following medical clearance, Gauna was booked into the Laramie County Jail on his existing warrants and an additional felony count of aggravated assault on a peace officer.


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