xQc made an unexpected appearance on mainstream television when CBS News Los Angeles displayed his question during live coverage of a police pursuit.
The station’s “text the desk” feature showed a message attributed to the streamer asking why police don’t simply shoot the suspect’s tires. The on-air anchors addressed the question directly, explaining that shooting out tires is a movie trope rather than actual police practice.
CBS LA regularly incorporates viewer texts during their extended police chase coverage, which can run for long stretches as news helicopters track suspects across the city. A screener at the station reviews incoming messages and selects which ones make it to air.
The question feels very on-brand for xQc, who spent considerable time streaming GTA roleplay content where police tactics and pursuits are a constant topic of discussion. The crossover between video game logic and real-world law enforcement made for an amusing moment of internet culture meeting local news.
Los Angeles stations have turned police pursuits into something of a television event over the years. The city’s news helicopters and live traffic feeds make it easy to provide extended coverage, and anchors often fill airtime with commentary and viewer interaction.
Why shooting tires doesn’t work
The reality is that firing at a moving vehicle’s tires creates serious safety risks. Bullets can miss and hit bystanders, ricochet off pavement, or strike other vehicles. Even successful hits rarely disable a car quickly enough to be effective.
Most police departments treat any firearm discharge as deadly force requiring strict justification. Instead, agencies use spike strips, aerial tracking to reduce ground pursuit risks, or specialized devices like the Grappler Police Bumper that wraps around a fleeing vehicle’s wheel.
