Newly-released dashcam footage from a traffic stop in Pennsylvania shows just how quickly a routine arrest can turn deadly.
The video depicts two Pennsylvania State Troopers, Ryan Seiple and Seth Kelly, attempting to arrest 22-year-old Daniel K. Clary. The incident took place last year on November 7, 2017, and Clary was convicted in June of attempted murder of two police officers.
“The troopers were in a knock-down, drag-out fight along the side of the road with vehicles speeding by them, and it got very, very violent,” State Police Captain Richard D’Ambrosio told Fox29 after viewing the video of the altercation.
The video above begins after Seiple had already cited Clary for speeding, according to The Morning Call. Seiple began to suspect that Clary had been driving under the influence, and he asked the suspect to step out of the vehicle after Kelly arrived on the scene.
Clary begins to resist when Seiple and Kelly try to place him under arrest, and the subsequent fight lasts one minute and six seconds as cars speed past along Pennsylvania’s busy Route 33.
Seiple and Kelly both try to subdue Clary with Tasers and blows to the head, but the man continues to struggle. Seiple used his Taser on Clary twice and punched him five times, according to The Morning Call. Kelly tasered Clary five times, threw nine punches and kneed him once.
Clary tries to grab the officers’ weapons throughout the course of the fight, and he eventually breaks free, runs to his car, and grabs a revolver. He fires six rounds, hitting Kelly in the neck, shoulder, and leg, according to Capt. D’Ambrosio. Seiple continues firing at Clary’s car, but the suspect soon drives away.
In total, Kelly fired 21 rounds and Seiple fired 20, according to The Morning Call.
SEE ALSO: WATCH: Suspects, Police Exchange Over 60 Rounds in Insane Shootout
Authorities said Kelly likely saved his own life by applying a tourniquet to his severed femoral artery. He remained in the hospital 25 days, 12 of which in a medically induced coma, according to LehighValley.com. He arrived at the hospital clinically dead, but medical personnel were able to revive him.
Clary drove himself to the hospital and was treated for multiple injuries, including a bullet lodged in his head. He was convicted of multiple felonies and faces decades in prison.
Northampton County First Deputy District Attorney Terence Houck told The Morning Call he waited to release the dashcam footage until getting permission from Seiple and Kelly.
“Our concerns have always been the victims, the state troopers in this matter, protecting them,” Houck told the newspaper. “But after speaking with them, they wanted it released, as did I.”
Quick update, for those interested in this story: The shooter, Daniel Clary, was just sentenced to 53 to 110 years in prison. Another detail of the incident that was not mentioned: The incident nearly ended without any violence! Clary was cited and released to drive away. Just before the officers departed, Clary got out of his car and approached the police car to question something about the ticket. It was at that point that the officer(s) noticed he was intoxicated, then the struggle began. Clary could have drive off without incident and everyone would have been better off!
When things started to become uncontrollable the officers should have shot the POS when they still had him on the ground.
This entire arrest would appear, to most casual observers, to have been poorly handled. I find it difficult to believe that two police officers, one of whom appears to be quite large, were incapable of overpowering one individual without resorting to the use of a taser and beating the living crap out of the him with their fists, even though he may have deserved it. Perhaps these two cops need to spend more time in the gym and less time at Dunkin Donuts. I’m afraid that if this video clip is shown in court, any defense attorney worth his JD degree would be able to build a credible case that Clary was acting in self defense. Just sayin’.
robert, your and idiot as is plain to see.
I can’t believe the monumental incompetence of those troopers. 2 on 1. All those shots fired with NO EFFECT, screaming “Get on your back” when he already was.
I was thinking exactly the same thing. I have no sympathy for these two. Ok, up to the Taser, they had him for possibly driving impaired and for resisting arrest, but @0:41those Keystone Kops are yelling him to stop resisting when he can’t even control his body functions. Why didn’t they just say they were in fear for their lives and just execute Clary on the spot?
At 1:27, one officer is heard yelling for Clary to get on his back, yet the fat one (Seiple?) is clearly blocking Clary from being able to comply with his command.
The turning point for me, where I went from supporting the officers to understanding fully why Clary had to respond in self defense, was @0:56 when Clary was upright and passive, yet fatboy Seiple decides to Taser Clary again and then push him on his back, all the while yelling for him to get on his back.
At 0:56, Kelly and Seiple abandoned their professionalism and did what half of LEOs do when they lose it, they take out their personal issues on some poor slob. I’m not in any way excusing Clary for his possible DUI or resisting arrest, but after 0:56, the officers behavior was inexcusable. Their was no way for Clary to respond in a manner of compliance even if he wanted to, and if ever two officers deserved to get shot at, this was it.
If I was on the jury (or even the judge), Clary would get charged for DUI and resisting arrest, but that’s it, I would require a public apology from the department, and give Clary a probation that would barely let him breathe. After 0:56,, the officers gave Clary no opportunity to comply and all they did was torture Clary into acting in self defense. The sick part is that they took an oath, they received training, they were on the clock, and the taxpayers have to pay to clean up this mess.
The fact that Clary fired 6 shots and managed under THAT LEVEL of physical duress to land 50% of his shots, while Seiple and Kelly only seem to have landed one single shot (mathematically, a deplorable 2%) only underscores their level of incompetence. I think Seiple was the biggest instigator here and should be held accountable for Kelly’s injuries.
The other 40 shots fired, were in the direction of traffic; it reminds me of the 39 shots fired in Times Square by seven officers and not one bullet hit the suspect.
God be with the troopers family’s and the troopers as they get well .
At least the suspect was caught .
One question , why was the car not searched once he stepped out of it ?
they didn’t have probable cause. it wasn’t until they confirmed he was intoxicated that they tried to cuff/arrest him, and then the suspect resisted.
I was home on Christmas leave from the Army, drinking a beer with my brother and a few friends, roughly a mile away from the NJ Trooper Lamonica shooting in the early 1980’s. I remember the State Police coming in the Log Cabin bar, speaking with the owner, then departing. The bartender told us “This next one is on the house. I am closing right afterward. You guys from Pennsylvania (me, my brother and 2 friends) be careful. They’ll be watching at the toll booth (Delaware Water Gap). I viewed this tragedy (Charles Manning, Richard Williams and Luc Levesour) killing Trooper Lamonica as a motivating factor in police changing from .357 Magnum revolvers to semi-automatic pistols. Nearly 4 decades later, after viewing several videos of police firing multiple shots with their .40 S&W, but failing to end the incident, I wonder if the perps would withstand the same amount of hits with the .357 Magnum? I’ve always assumed that the .40 S&W had superior ballistics, better knock down power. I know a pistol holds many more rounds than a revolver and is much quicker to reload. I just have trouble picturing the bad guys walking away after sustaining 3 or 4 .357 Magnum hollow points. Perhaps the caliber does not rule at all, when the person is really doped up?
Yeah that taser is useless against someone hoped up on the stuff these urban mo fos use. They should have had a pistol on him as soon as he started resisting.
First off, thank God the Troopers were not killed by that animal! Having been a Tactical Training Officer / Firearms Instructor for Police Officers for over 20 years it is easy for me to sit back and critique the Troopers actions. But unless you have been in that type of situation you really do not know how you will perform. Extensive training does indeed help and can prepare an Officer for these type of encounters. But unless that training is ongoing it is easy to forget under extreme stress. I have read the comments above and some of them are very insightful. Yes, the Troopers made several “mistakes” throughout the encounter. Yes, they should have used the contact and cover technique instead of bunching up. Yes, they should have overpowered the suspect and cuffed him right away as soon as he showed signs of possible resistance. And Yes, they should have been able to score more hits on him during the firefight. But in a real world violent encounter all the best laid plans can quickly go to hell and bad things can happen. This suspect should be quickly tried and executed as should ALL animals who choose to use violence against authority and attempt to kill a Law Enforcement Officer. EVERY life is valuable, but an attack against LE is especially dangerous and reveals that you are nothing more than a waste of life and a danger to others. We are quick to put down a dog that attacks a person. The same goes for this type of animal. The moron who defended this animals actions in a post above is a perfect example of ignorance and hate. Having worked highway patrol for a major part of my career I am thankful to be alive today and pray for the men and women who do the job now.
Well said on all counts. These morons commenting above have obviously never tried to place anyone into custody and instead are thinking from the perspective that 2 Troopers should have been able to beat up one man easily. This is actually true, if the Troopers were trying to assault the man. However, placing someone into custody by cuffing them while they are struggling and squirming to break free is an entirely different situation. Pain compliance is very limited when they are intoxicated and senses are dulled from alcohol and/or other drugs. The armchair quarterbacks commenting above should stick to their video games or try working as LE officers to find out how it really works in the real world.
Example of Local police in need of more “real life” training experience. Americans want safe neighborhoods and great schools yet don’t wont to pay for police to get trained or teachers to be paid. After tazing the man they repeatedly told him to “get on your back”… Really? Criminal was already on his back, you NEVER handcuff a suspect while he’s on his back? Suspect should have been advised to get on your stomach with your hands out. And why did the two officers stay bunched up together and neither officer looked through the window of the car. They should have moved this suspect further away from his car before things escalated and asked him to sit down after checking him for weapons. Could go on and on, but clear example for better and more training needed for the men and women we ask to put their lives on the line to defend us. Get well soon.
Your observations are correct and well stated. But as long as “Budgets” dictate the amount of training that LE gets, training will always take a back seat to other budgetary items. It has always been that way. Sad but true. I do believe that a swift execution, not a prison sentence, for animals such as this one would serve as a deterrent. Even if it did not, we would still be better off without this waste of life.
Obviously you have never arrested anyone, ever. I made at least 200 DUI arrests during my career. This appeared to be a standard DUI arrest until the suspect took it to the extreme. Some suspects can take a lot of pain especially when drunk/doped. If one of the officers would have shot this piece of crap before he got to his gun who do you think would be on trial?
I just can not understand why these people have to make a felony out of a simple traffic stop.
He had to be on some kind of drugs to withstand the tazar and punches and seem to be super strong.
But, He sure was a better shot then the Police were.
Apparently they also don’t know the anatomical difference between his back and his face, as they keep yelling ‘get on your back’ and beating him when in fact he was on his back. I’m sure had it been handled differently at the outset it might have ended differently. Had I been treated the same I might have acted as he did. Beat a man enough and your uniform means nothing. I am glad they survived, but they don’t belong on a police force.
Right?! 90% of his “resistance” was because they were repeatedly telling him to do something he was already doing while fighting to toll him over on his stomach. He wasn’t resisting – he was *complying* while they continued to use his head as a punching bag. If I were in his shoes, I’d feel like I was being set up to be shot for resisting. Absurd.
You posted “Had I been treated the same I might have acted as he did”. Really? Are you an animal as well? Let’s me ask you a simple question that even your dimwitted brain might understand. Just how “wrong” was this animal treated? Who resisted arrest? Who acted violently and attacked the Trropers? Who shot first? How stupid are you? Wait don’t answer that, we already know. It is people like you who justify violence against LE and make the job harder than it has to be. Please keep quite and follow this simple rule. Best for you to remain silent and thought of as a fool than to speak and confirm it!
Everyone that doesn’t believe the suspect is a “Dog” or “Animal” that should be sent to the firing squad, is beneath you? I hope your time as an officer is over. Your lack of respect for our justice system is a major part of the growing disconnect between the general population and LE. Clary may not have been in a position to shoot at the troopers if they would have handled it differently. To blame lack of funding, is a cop out.( no pun intended) The troopers knew he was in no position to make good decisions. That’s Why they were charging him with DUI!? I think Clary is a burden on society and feel much as you do about him. BUT that is why I knew I should NOT be a police officer. Some say to shoot him as soon as he resists, sorry not everybody believes or respects the law the way you do. To execute a person for resisting arrest is not right. If a bouncer at a night club shot everyone that tried to fight them, most of us wouldn’t have made it out of our twenties. Plus, you’d say bouncers aren’t trained in the use of deadly force. Getting shot at is a different story! Everyone should be able to go home at the end of shift! Attitudes are getting stronger on both sides LE & GP. I think the politics of the courts and media have a lot to do with it. I have a ton of respect for law enforcement. I also don’t defend every action LE makes just because they share a uniform. I thank all of the men and women of the safety forces. Without you our country would be one crazy place!
Thankfully the 2 troopers are alive. Although it always possible for a suspect to physically overpower an officer or 3, the criminal should not be able to out shoot the officer(s) The suspect fired 6 shots and scored 3 hits while the troopers fired 41 shots and only scored 4 shots, none of which were center mass. It’s a dismal performance, showing that police need to practice more, because their lives depends on this skill. Many officers are very skilled, but the majority are fair to poor shots and that needs to change. Just my 2 cents
Worse than the Keystone Cops. A disgrace to law enforcement in this country even though they all are this ridiculous.
Your an asshole. Make sure when you get in Trouble you take care of it yourself. Amazing we still put our lives in the line for dicks like you.
I will always take care of myself. The only reason I’d ever call the cops is if *not* doing so would land me in jail.
If you don’t think these cops are pathetic then you must be on par with them! First off HOW DO YOU LET this fool BACK IN HIS CAR???!!!! When a person REACHES IN his car with his ENTIRE MID TO LOWER body hanging out and they couldn’t get at LEAST a taser on him PROVES they CONPLETELY SUCK AND FAILED at their JOB! BOTH stupid cops STOOD AND WATCHED(after one fell for NO REASON:)this guy bend in the car and then come out blasting… BUT THERE ON POINT IN YOUR EYES CORRECT?! Had the cops been separated and NOT IN EACH OTHERS POCKETS pretty much then this guy wouldn’t if had ONLY ONE direction to shoot to almost kill them both. FYI… I am a police officer and these two so called “cops” failed miserably if the count fired above is correct and how many hit is PATHETIC compared to the UNTRAINED civilian who put em set em ass on at least one of the cops. FACT… FACT… When I was trained by my police academy I was told every student would fire 250 rounds and THAT’S IT! And realistically I MAY of fired a hundred MAX! Basically if you suck then they give you the 250 because their CHEAP and SURE keep the left over rounds for themselves. I saw people get passed because the instructor was SIMPLY SICK of training the person who clearly couldn’t shoot himself in the foot let alone a target even just feet away. This just shows how crappy our training is and if you disagree look at who was shot and look who drove off! And remember it was TWO ON ONE! There was NO NEED to pinch him OVER AND OVER since EVERY single time you cauck you arm back to punch the suspect now is FREE which allowed him to finally stand and drop BOTH COPS! Bet IF these worthless shots ever think about going back to duty they’ll be at the range a whole lot more! We know what we are signing up for and it’s on us cops to KNOW OUR JOBS! These two should be fired, but instead they’ll get a medal for being incompetent! And for your comment about when he’s in trouble he better handle it by himself is EXACTLY RIGHT! Cops are NOTHING BUT CLEANING CREWS!!!!! If someone wants to kill you there’s ZERO TIME to call the cops OR time for them to get there! That’s why you carry yourself so the body you’ll be picking up won’t be his! I live forty five minutes for the nearest anything so YES WE ARE OUR OWN POLICE, EVEN THE ONE’S WHO DON’T WEAR A BADGE! I’m not one of those cops that praises these two worthless cops for sucking at their jobs… I’m the VERY FEW who will say they ABSOLUTELY SUCK at their job… YOU SHOULD BE TOO SINCE THEY ARE YOUR BACK UP!
I detailed my observations in another post, here, but for me the critical point was at 0:56, where Clary was at that point passive and on his knees, although probably too dazed to fully comply. At THAT point at least one of these Einsteins should have had a gun on Clary and used that juncture to re-evaluate the situation. But no.
Quite frankly, they gave Clary orders that were impossible to follow, since at 1:27, the fat one was yelling at Clary to get on his back while completely blocking him from being able to do so. The kneeing and punching only showed they had no idea what to do with this guy, not because he was a problem, but more because their ineptitude exacerbated his subsequent behavior, and I’m still not convinced he was on drugs as some suggest. You might have a different take on it, which I would be welcome to hear.
Bottom line, though, after 0:56, and further re-inforced by 1:27, Clary was forced into a self defense action, because it was obvious that these clowns didn’t even understand what their job was and the fat one (Seiple?) apparently didn’t get laid the night before and someone was going to have to pay for it.
I was all for rooting for the uniforms, ……….. up until 0:56, when they lost all measure of professionalism. What amazes me still is how Clary managed a 50% hit ratio while supposedly on drugs or alcohol. I have a service related injury resulting in poor proprioceptive responses from one of my feet. I could walk that off balance fully sober in broad daylight and that LAST thing I would need is a pair of Appalachian twins, Darryl and Darryl, trying to diffuse a nuclear bomb.
Irv , Irv , Irv , someone seems to have touched
a nerve in you , sir . Perhaps you may be an
officer of similar ” stripe “. Perhaps overzealous.
Perhaps not an officer , but a cheerleader.
To respond with such vitriol shows lack of self
control , and potentially mental instability.
If you are an officer , sir , you may want to
consider a career change , for the safety of
yourself , and the good of the public.
Thank you.
I like to know how you would react to a man who has a car between you and him/her and is shooting at you out in the open ??
Thank God the Troopers are both alive .
the soulless animal will now be where he belongs . God knows if he has killed anyone or hurt anyone before .
Ah, it’s Andy the cop hater, with more of his misplaced anger.
Nice try at baiting you mental defect.
Man, that footage is pretty embarrassing for the two cops really. They look like complete amateurs.
I would say the police need more range time. Over 40 rounds fired at him, NO hits, and he has a revolver, hitting both officers multiple times with 6 shots. What’s wrong with this picture? The rules of engagement for police is like soldiers in Afghanistan~~they have to be shot first before they can shoot??? Holy S**T!
That’s not true at all. There are countless examples of police shooting first, often when there isn’t even an actual credible threat or weapon present.
First off let me say I am ashamed to be in the same country with some of the people that have posts on here. These officers tried to do their job , but when you have an animal hopped up on drugs like that it is hard to subdue them. And no one else can see that the moron shooter was protected behind a car unlike the officers , because they didn’t have time to think or move to a protected area. When you get in a situation like that , some of you really smart people that said the cops didn’t know what they were doing, your adrenaline and emotions are out of control , so you are not thinking clearly. But I am sure that you smart guys would have been perfect at arresting this guy . You idiots shut the hell up and let the police do their jobs , no it was not a perfect ending to a bad day! But I am glad these officers lived to be ok and to see that piece of shit put in jail !
The article doesn’t say what happened to Office Seiple, so I can imagine he is OK. I hope both make a full recovery. Thank you for your service officers. This goes to show you the power of a drunk psycho.
Pretty good reflexes and motor skills for a “drunk”…..I suspect he was on something else, like PCP