Bodycam Footage of Cincinnati Police Fatally Shooting Omar Perez

 Cincinnati authorities have released dramatic body camera and surveillance footage capturing the moment officers confronted and fatally shot a gunman who opened fire inside a downtown bank on Thursday morning. The incident took place at the Fifth Third Bank headquarters near Fountain Square, leaving three victims dead and two others wounded.

The suspect, identified as 29-year-old Omar Perez of Northbend, Ohio, entered the bank building just after 9 a.m., armed with a 9mm semi-automatic handgun. Surveillance footage shows Perez moving deliberately through the building, carrying a shoulder bag and wearing a long-sleeved shirt and pants. He is seen behind a security turnstile, weapon raised and ready to fire.

In one chilling clip, a security guard can be seen escorting a man to safety just moments before Perez passes through the same area. Cincinnati Police Chief Eliot Isaac later praised the guard’s actions as “heroic,” noting that the guard put himself at risk to protect others.

Perez began shooting indiscriminately, firing at anyone in sight as he moved into the lobby area. Chief Isaac described the attack as a “random act of violence,” adding that the gunman showed no clear target and simply fired at anyone he encountered. When police officers arrived at the scene, they could already hear gunshots inside the building, which helped them locate the shooter quickly.

Four officers responded to the active shooter situation. As they approached the lobby, they saw Perez actively firing inside. The officers then engaged him from outside the glass windows. In total, they fired 11 rounds: eight from 9mm handguns, two from a shotgun, and one from a rifle.

Bodycam footage shows the officers moving quickly toward the building as gunfire echoed inside. As they fired at Perez through the glass, he was struck and fell forward, still holding his weapon. Officers then entered the lobby, secured the scene, and immediately began administering aid to the victims.

The entire ordeal, from Perez’s first shot to the moment he was stopped, lasted approximately 4 minutes and 28 seconds, according to Chief Isaac. The first 911 call came in just 55 seconds after the shooting began, and dispatchers received hundreds of calls within minutes. In one of the released 911 calls, a woman tells a dispatcher she is locked inside a bathroom with others, and is instructed to remain there until police clear the scene.

Despite the quick response, three individuals lost their lives, and two others were injured. Both injured victims remain hospitalized but are expected to recover, according to officials. Perez was pronounced dead at the scene by fire personnel.

Police say Perez arrived at the location in his own vehicle, parked nearby, and entered the building through a side entrance before opening fire. He had legally purchased the Taurus 9mm handgun from a Cincinnati gun store in August. During the exchange with police, his weapon malfunctioned and jammed. Officers later discovered that he had fired 35 rounds and was carrying over 200 additional rounds in a briefcase.

Investigators are still working to determine Perez’s motive. Though he was not affiliated with the bank, police believe he may have been attempting to reach the nearby federal courthouse. He had no significant local criminal history but did have minor legal issues in South Carolina and Florida.

Earlier this year, Perez filed lawsuits in federal court against NBC Universal and CNBC, alleging that they used his cell phone to harvest and broadcast his personal information. However, there is no evidence such broadcasts ever took place.

Cincinnati Police Chief Isaac acknowledged the bravery and professionalism of the officers involved, emphasizing their swift actions prevented further bloodshed. The department continues to investigate the incident and has urged the public to remain alert but assured that there is no ongoing threat to the community.