By Police1 Staff

PALESTINE, Texas — Body camera footage capturing the split-second decision officers were forced to make when a suspect pulled what appeared to be a handgun has been released.

According to the Palestine Herald, Sgt. Gabriel Green and Officer Kaylynn Griffin were called to the scene May 31 after employees at a local store witnessed 47-year-old James D. Bushey attempting to steal a case of beer.

Related feature A cop's split-second decision: Real or replica? One of the men reached back to adjust something, and I clearly saw a pistol grip sticking up from the back of his blue jeans.

Bushey then entered a nearby restaurant and hid in a stall. While the officers were escorting him out of the building, he pulled out the replica pellet gun.

Green fired multiple shots at Bushey before Griffin, who had been armed with a TASER, pulled her weapon and also opened fire on the suspect.

Bushey died at the scene. Police later discovered the weapon was a replica made to resemble a Colt 1911 .45 caliber handgun, according to the report.

Both officers have been cleared in the incident and have returned to full duty.