Yzail Gauna, 26-years-old, was found to have outstanding warrants during a traffic stop on Friday, April 5 at approximately 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 back seat - the child and occupants were not secured by any seatbelts.

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 tricep, 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.