Body camera footage capturing a fatal deputy-involved shooting in Vail, Arizona, last year was publicly released on Friday, February 13, shedding new light on the tense confrontation that led to the death of 47-year-old John Allan McDonald.
The incident unfolded around 11:45 p.m. on Thursday, November 28, when deputies from the Pima County Sheriff's Department (PCSD) responded to multiple reports of a domestic violence situation involving a gun at a home in the 400 block of South Stone Bench, near Houghton Road and Sahuarita Road.
According to details from the Pima Regional Critical Incident Team (PRCIT), McDonald fired at least one round outside the home before walking away from the scene. Moments later, another deputy encountered him in the nearby 300 block of South Creosote Draw Road.
PRCIT reports indicate that McDonald, who was armed, ignored repeated commands from the deputy to stop and show his hands. Instead, he allegedly pulled a gun from his pocket and began walking toward the deputy, prompting the law enforcement officer to open fire and strike McDonald.
No other individuals were injured during the encounter, PRCIT confirmed. The deputy who discharged his weapon has been identified as John Hisey-Long, a three-year veteran of the PCSD.
As part of the standard PRCIT protocol for officer-involved shootings, the Tucson Police Department has taken primary responsibility for the criminal investigation. Simultaneously, the PCSD is conducting a parallel administrative review to assess the actions of its personnel.
Once complete, all investigative findings from both probes will be forwarded to the Pima County Attorney’s Office, in line with established procedures for such incidents.
