Police shoot dead crew member of TV show Cops as he filmed robbery

Police accidentally shot a sound operator for the TV show Cops as they confronted a robber in Omaha, Nebraska.

17:13 28 August 2014

38-year-old sound operator Bryce Dion died after he was accidentally shot by police officers who were confronting a robber in Omaha, Nebraska. The robbery suspect, 32-year-old Cortez Washington, was also shot dead on the scene.

The incident happened when the police officer, being followed by reality TV show Cops crew members, requested for a back up at a Wendy’s store in Omaha.

Mr Dion became separated from his cameraman as the police confronted the suspect. Officers shot Washington as he tried to flee.

It was later discovered that the suspect was using a pellet gun, not an actual live round bullet firing weapon as previously thought.

During a press conference, Police Chief Todd Schmadered revealed that during the gun fight, a single bullet struck Mr Dion’s arm and slipped into a gap in his bullet proof vest. It went straight to his chest.

The executive producer of Langley Productions, said: "Bryce has been with us for seven years. This is very hard for us.”