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Authorities released dash cam video on Monday showing a deadly shooting after Oklahoma state troopers responded to two brothers in need of a rescue when they found themselves stuck in high flood waters while fishing on Friday.
Videos by VICE
Brothers Nehemiah Fischer, 35, and Brandon Fischer, 41, were fishing at their dad’s property in the state’s Okmulgee County, about 20 miles south of Tulsa, when their truck reportedly stalled, local news station KFOR reported. Oklahoma Highway Patrol dispatched state troopers Michael Taylor and Mark Southall to the scene after a call came in about a driver in need of assistance.
The troopers advised the men to exit the water to avoid danger, but officials reported to KFOR that as the pair made their way out of the water towards the officers, Nehmiah, an assistant pastor at Faith Bible Church, began assaulting a trooper. Video footage shows the 35-year-old lunging towards one of the officers. The video was stopped just as one of the troopers draws his weapon. Both of the troopers reportedly responded with gunfire, killing Nehmiah Fischer. Brandon Fischer was charged with assault.
Nehmiah’s father has come to his sons’ defense, stressing his son was a preacher and would never charge at an officer.
“When it came to being a Christian man, he was the real deal,” he told The Associated Press Monday. “He walked the talk.”
The men’s father also said it wasn’t clear if his sons knew who had told them to get out of the water.
“If my son would have known that this was an officer, he would have never assaulted him,” he said.
Police said that a weapon belonging to Nehemiah Fischer was found at the scene. They released the footage on Monday during a press conference. With the case under investigation, Tayler and Southall are currently on paid leave.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.