The driver of a vehicle stopped by a Cottonwood Police Department officer, who was subsequently shot by the officer after a physical altercation, has reportedly died, according to a press release from CPD Sgt. Chad Sinn on the afternoon of Friday, April 19.
The driver has been identified as 32-year-old Donovan Jelicich, of Cottonwood. The officer’s name has not been released, but he is a six-year police veteran, according to Sinn. The officer was hospitalized at Verde Valley Medical Center for his injuries received in the physical struggle with Jelicich, who was taken to Flagstaff Medical Center.
CPD has released both dash cam and body cam footage of the incident. The entire interaction from contact to shooting takes place in less than three minutes.
Timeline of the incident, as seen from camera footage
According to dash cam video released by CPD on April 19, at 7:49:44 p.m. on Friday, April 12, Jelicich’s black 2004 Porsche Cayenne made a left turn from northbound State Route 89A at the intersection Main Street and Cottonwood Street onto westbound State Route 89A in front of the officer’s police vehicle, which was facing southbound on Main Street at a red light.
The officer followed Jelicich and they both turned right onto 12th Street, northbound. The officer activated his lights at 7:50:18 p.m. and both vehicles slow to a stop at 7:50:37 p.m. near the entrance of Ace Hardware in the 500 block of S. 12th St., Cottonwood, north of State Route 89A and south of the Cottonwood Kids Park and Verde Valley Fairgrounds.
The officer approaches the Porsche from the right side and makes contact with Jelicich at 7:51:10 p.m. In the bodycam video, Jelicich asks the officer “What’s up, dude?”
“You’re driving with no lights on, dude,” the officer states.
“Oh, I didn’t have my lights on?” Jelicich can be heard saying in the bodycam video.
“No. And you’re tailgating the [expletive] out of this guy in front of you,” the officer states.
“I was close to him; he was going slow.” Jelicich says.
The officer asks for his driver’s license. Jelicich appears to look through his center console then asks, “you’re getting me for what?” to which the officer responds, “You’re driving with no lights on and you’re tailgating this car.”
Jelicich provides his license through the rear right passenger window. After checking the license and brief confirmation of address, the officer then asks for registration and insurance. Jelicich attempts to hand the officer a paper document through the same window and the officer asks him to unlock his door, which Jelicich then opens.
“Thank you,” the officer states. “Do you have your registration and insurance?”
Jelicich states some expletives and exits the Porsche at 7:52:30 p.m.
“Stay in your car,” the officer states. However, Jelicich crosses in front of the Porsche with his phone in his right hand.
“You wanna talk … I have to do [expletive] online [expletive] metro mile pay by the mile [expletive] app,” Jelicich states at 7:52:37 p.m. Jelicich crosses the sidewalk and leans with his back against a concrete wall separating the sidewalk from a downward-sloping hill and places his right foot against the wall.
“So is there an issue,” the officer asks at 7:52:44 p.m.
“Um … [exhale] … yeah,” Jelicich responds.
“‘Cause it seems there’s an issue. So what’s the issue?” the officer asks at 7:52:49 p.m. “Why don’t you enlighten me?”
Jelicich places his phone in his left pocket and looks to his right.
“There’s just too much going on in town,” Jelich states at 7:52:55 and looks back toward the officer.
“What does that mean?” the officer asks. Jelicich then swings toward the officer at 7:52:56 p.m, appearing to strike him in the head area as the altercation ensues.
During the struggle, the officer calls for backup.
The officer deploys his Taser at 7:53:25 p.m. and Jelicich falls to the ground, on the slope. Jelicich recovers from his fall at 7:53:27 p.m. and appears to charge toward the officer, and a second altercation ensues.
During the second struggle, at 7:53:44 p.m., Jelicich appears to say “Why did you have to pull me over? You know who I am.”
The struggle concludes at 7:53:49 p.m. after what appears to be the sound of a single gunshot. Police sirens can be heard approaching the scene.
In accordance with standard procedure, the officer has been placed on non-disciplinary administrative leave, according to Sinn.
“The officer and the patrol vehicle were equipped with recording devices, ensuring a comprehensive incident review, Sinn wrote. “The Cottonwood Police Department extends its sincere gratitude to community public safety partners, including the Clarkdale Police Department, Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office, and the
Cottonwood Fire Department, for their invaluable assistance.”
The officer-involved shooting is currently being investigated by the Arizona Department of Public Safety.
