Authorities in the U.S. city of Temp, Arizona has confirmed that 34-year-old Sean Bickings died as a result of drowning in the Tempe Town Lake River on May 28.
Three police officers witnessed the death. Authorities in Tempe write that they are now suspended while the case is investigated.
Several media outlets have reported the death.
Counterfeit own death – convicted of assault
Jumped in the water
according to Washington Post Police had contacted Bickings and his wife for reports of a riot between him and a woman who introduced herself as his wife.
While the police were talking to and checking up on Bickings and the woman, a video from one of the policemen’s body cameras shows that Bickings is sitting on the pier facing the water.
The police officers warn, but eventually Bickings jumps into the river. As he swims away, the police officers discuss.
– How far do you think he can swim? asks one.
sea view
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This was said
The rest of the video has not been released by the police in Tempe, but an excerpt of what was said has been published.
– I’m going to drown, Bickings is said to have shouted.
– No, you do not, replied the second officer.
Officer number one then asked Bickings to hold on to a post.
– I can not, I drown, shouted the 34-year-old.
– Get over to the post, officer number one answers again.
– I can not, I can not, Bickings repeats.
– OK. I’m not jumping for you, officer number one should have answered.
“Drowning right in front of you”
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According to the transcripts, Bickings is still begging for help, while the woman he was with must also have asked the police officers to save him.
– He drowns right in front of you, and you will not help, she said according to the transcripts.
Shortly afterwards, officer number one is to tell the woman that Bickings went under water 30 seconds ago, and had not come up.
According to the officers, Bickings must have swum between 30 and 40 meters before he lost control in the water and fell below the surface.
according to The Arizona Republic Bicking’s dead body was later retrieved from the water.
The three officers have been suspended pending the investigation of the case.
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