Bodycam video released by law enforcement reveals a dramatic encounter earlier this month when police say a man attempted to light an explosive device while fleeing from officers on Interstate 90 in Mercer Island, Washington.

The incident prompted a significant police response and led to the shutdown of the highway for several hours.

In the video footage, officers from the Bellevue Police Department and the Washington State Patrol are seen running toward the suspect, identified as Sokphana Soeung.

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During the pursuit, Soeung is shown holding what appears to be a lighter in one hand and an improvised explosive device (IED) in the other, attempting to ignite the fuse.

He was unable to detonate the explosive before being tackled by a group of seven officers.

“The suspect threw an IED or some sort of explosive,” one of the officers is heard saying in the footage. “As soon as you can back away. IED! IED!” The urgency in the officers’ voices underscores the potential danger posed by the situation.

The chaotic series of events began with a low-speed police chase that started at Enatai Beach Park and continued onto westbound I-90.

Bellevue police officers reported that they observed the suspects in a black Mercedes and suspected the driver was under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

The driver ignored police commands and maneuvered past a patrol car, continuing on even after hitting tire deflation devices.

Once the vehicle reached I-90, the passenger exited the car and was taken into custody without incident.

However, the driver, Soeung, led officers on a chase while attempting to ignite the tennis ball-sized explosive, which was packed with explosive powder and fitted with a fuse.

“Call the bomb squad. He threw out an explosive device. He was trying to light it,” an officer stated in the bodycam footage released on Wednesday.

Further investigation into the incident revealed that the vehicle was stolen, and approximately 50 fentanyl pills were found in the possession of the passenger.

The passenger indicated that they were headed to Seattle after using fentanyl.

Meanwhile, Soeung, who has prior warrants and was already facing charges for possession of a stolen vehicle, is now being held on high bail as additional charges are pending a decision from King County prosecutors.

“Saturday was a very dangerous, life-or-death incident,” stated Wendell Shirley, chief of police for the Bellevue Police Department.

His comments reflect the serious nature of the events that unfolded on I-90 and the potential threat posed to both law enforcement and the public.

Soeung is currently being held in jail with a bail set at $750,000. He is scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday to face the charges related to this alarming incident.

As law enforcement continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the chase and the attempted detonation of the explosive, authorities emphasize the risks associated with such reckless behavior.