WATCH A look back, San Diego The 1995 tank rampage

A 58-ton US Army M60 tank rampaged through San Diego on May 17, 1995, leaving a trail of destruction for nearly 23 minutes. The driver, Shawn Nelson, was ultimately stopped when police officers fired upon the tank to prevent it from entering oncoming traffic. NBC 7 will air a special report this Sunday, marking the 30th anniversary of the incident, titled "Look Back, San Diego: The 1995 Tank Rampage. " The report revisits the extraordinary events and features interviews with retired officers Paul Paxton and Rick Piner, who bravely intervened during the chaos. Piner explained that he fired his weapon to prevent the tank from causing further harm.

The incident changed Piner's life, highlighting the risks officers took that night. Mark Leimbach, a retired NBC 7 photographer, also shared his memories of the event, recalling the loud sounds of the tank and the police chase. This dramatic event remains a significant moment in San Diego's history and community memory.