Share and Follow
Intense footage captured by a body camera reveals the dramatic scenes where a California police officer was reportedly abducted by a suspect involved in an armed robbery. During an intense chase along a local road, the officer was compelled to shoot the suspect in the leg.
The events transpired at approximately 5:16 a.m. on February 20, when the Antioch Police Department (APD) received a call about a robbery at the FoodMaxx grocery store on Lone Tree Way. Officers were informed that multiple suspects were involved, according to a statement shared by authorities on social media.
While law enforcement attempted to apprehend the suspects, one individual allegedly tried to escape by crashing his vehicle into a police car with occupants inside, resulting in a physical confrontation with an officer.
“Amidst the struggle, the officer was dragged into the vehicle as the suspect accelerated, colliding with both a patrol car and a nearby store,” the APD explained.
Surveillance footage captured the dramatic moment when the group of alleged robbers rammed a stolen vehicle into the FoodMaxx grocery store in Antioch, California, on February 20, 2026. (The Antioch Police Department)
Surveillance video released by the department shows the moment a stolen Infiniti smashed through the front doors of the grocery store before two men climbed out of the vehicle and ran into the business. The suspects then allegedly threatened the store clerk with a handgun, police said.
Within minutes, an Antioch police officer pulled into the parking lot and attempted to block the suspects’ vehicle as another officer approached the passenger side and opened the door.
“Let me see your hands! Let me see your hands!” an officer is heard shouting.
Body camera video shows Officer Travis Donaldson being pushed into Dominick Desouza’s alleged getaway car in Antioch, Calif., on Feb. 20, 2026. (The Antioch Police Department)
The suspect allegedly subsequently accelerated forward at a high rate of speed, trapping the officer inside the vehicle as he sped away.
“Stop the car! Stop the car!” the trapped officer, identified as Travis Donaldson, can be heard yelling.
“Get out of the car, bro,” the suspect, later identified as 23-year-old Dominick Desouza, replied.
Officer Travis Donaldson points a gun at alleged armed robbery suspect Dominick Desouza after being trapped inside his car in Antioch, Calif., on Feb. 20, 2026. (The Antioch Police Department)
Desouza is heard threatening to crash the vehicle as the pair continue to argue.
“Don’t do it,” Donaldson warns. “It’s not worth it.”
“I got a family, bro” Desouza replied.
Donaldson then begins pleading with Desouza to pull over while also giving him an ultimatum.
“Stop the car, or I will shoot you in the leg,” Donaldson said.
Body camera video shows Donaldson firing a single shot into Desouza’s leg.
“Officer Donaldson intentionally shot Desouza in the leg to reduce the likelihood of a fatality to Desouza, himself, and members of the community,” the APD said.
Despite his injury, Desouza crashed into a parked car inside a residential neighborhood and fled on foot, but was located just minutes later, according to police.
Desouza was subsequently taken into custody and transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, the APD added. Donaldson also only sustained minor injuries from the incident.
Desouza is charged with kidnapping, robbery, burglary and assault on an officer, according to authorities.