Dallas police release bodycam footage after suspect slips out of handcuffs during traffic stop

This briefing is to provide an update on an escape from custody that occurred on May 30, 2026, near Interstate 35 and Illinois Avenue. These details are based on the preliminary investigation and may change as more information is confirmed. On May 30, 2026, at approximately 5:35 p.m., Dallas Police officers Ibrahim Kante and Kenneth Harper conducted a traffic stop for a registration violation in the 2300 block of south Marsalis Avenue. The traffic stop resulted in the arrest of Stacey Huffman, 37, for Driving While License Invalid, Possession of a Controlled Substance, and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm. Officer Kante handcuffed Huffman and placed him in the rear seat of the squad car while the officers completed their investigation. After being placed in the squad car, Huffman managed to remove his left hand from the handcuffs and concealed his hands behind his body. When the officers began driving to jail, Huffman attempted to open the locked rear door of the squad car and removed his seatbelt. At approximately 6:10 p.m., the officers stopped the squad car on northbound I-35 near Illinois Avenue and exited the vehicle to restrain Huffman. When both officers were outside, Huffman climbed into the driver’s seat and drove away, as Officer Harper entered the back seat. Harper remained inside while Huffman drove away, and Officer Kante was still outside. Officer Harper deployed his Taser, but it was not effective when Huffman pulled the wires away. Officer Harper drew his duty weapon, and when Huffman accelerated the vehicle, Officer Harper struck Huffman on the side of the head with the weapon. Huffman continued to drive erratically, causing Officer Harper to be violently thrown across the back seat. After driving approximately 1,000 feet at speeds reaching approximately 50 miles per hour, Huffman opened the driver side door and exited the moving car. Officer Harper was able to regain control of the squad car and avoided a collision. Huffman was rendered unconscious and taken into custody. Both Huffman and Officer Harper were transported to a local hospital for treatment. Officer Harper was treated and released. Huffman remains hospitalized. When he is released from the hospital, Huffman will be charged with the initial offenses of Driving While License Invalid, Possession of a Controlled Substance, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, as well as Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle and Escape from Custody. To ensure transparency, the Department is releasing relevant portions of the body-worn and dash camera video so the public can see what occurred. This incident is being investigated by the Dallas Police Department Special Investigations Unit. The Dallas County District Attorney’s Office and the Office of Community Police Oversight have been notified. This remains an active and ongoing investigation. Information may change as additional evidence, forensic analysis, and video review are completed. The Dallas Police Department remains committed to transparency, accountability, and maintaining the trust of our community.