Fort Worth officer wounded while helping resident, video shows

Civilian Response Unit specialist recovering after eye injury

Newly released body camera video shows the tense moments when a Fort Worth police Civilian Response Unit specialist was shot while responding to a burglary call, as he helped a resident reach safety.

Police say Specialist Edward Zapata, a 30-year Marine veteran, was taking a report at a Northside home Tuesday morning when gunfire erupted.

“Shot fired. Oh god what the f*** was that? Get down, get over here, come here, come here," Zapata can be heard saying in the body-worn camera footage, promptly calling for help, "I need officers at my location. Just got uh, took a shot to the face.”

According to Fort Worth police, Zapata continued helping the burglary victim move to safety behind her home, even after being struck.

Seconds later, he was hit by shrapnel and fell to the ground.

Moments later, Fort Worth police officers arrived, ordering the suspect to drop the weapon as they worked to secure the scene and reach Zapata.

Officers then moved in to rescue him from the home where he had taken cover.

Zapata was rushed to the hospital as officers also helped his Civilian Response Unit partner, who had been hiding in their pickup truck, get out safely.

Police identified the suspect as Angel Cantu, who they say has a violent criminal history.

Fort Worth Police Chief Eddie Garcia said the shooting highlights the risks faced by civilian responders.

“I think what we need to think is, how to make them safer, how to make sure we're making the job safer. I'll tell you what, they are unbelievable partners to this police department,” Garcia said.

Garcia said no Civilian Response Unit specialist had been injured on the job since the unit launched in 2021.

Zapata continues recovering from his injuries after being shot in the eye and is expected to undergo a second surgery in the coming days.

This story was originally reported for broadcast by NBC DFW. AI tools helped convert the story into a digital article, and an NBC DFW journalist edited it again before publication.