Chimps Escape Shelter, Terrorize Las Vegas Neighborhood, Attack INSIDE EDITION Cameraman

An INSIDE EDITION cameraman was attacked by one of two escaped chimps that terrorized a Las Vegas neighborhood, forcing police to put one of the animals down.

It was a frightening scene as a hulking chimp that terrorized a Las Vegas neighborhood turned on an INSIDE EDITION cameraman.

CJ, short for Calamity Jane, is one of two chimps that escaped from their cage at an animal sanctuary. Imagine the force necessary to rip this gate off its hinges.

"I was terrified. That thing had an iron grip on it," said the cameraman.

Shelter boss Timmi de Rosa commented to INSIDE EDITION on the power CJ had ripping off the gate, "You couldn't do this. Bring a UFC fighter here, he couldn't do this."

CJ and her partner, Buddy, weighing 150 pounds, ran wild through the residential neighborhood on Thursday.

Cops warned families to stay inside.

Marcus Martin of Las Vegas police told INSIDE EDITION, "The animals knew how to open car doors and they were actively opening car doors. One lady was inside her car as the animal was on top of her car and was reaching in."

Vegas police said Buddy charged an officer, raising memories of that nightmare case when a Connecticut woman had her face ripped off by a chimp. The cop shot Buddy dead. The animal's body was covered as police took details of the scene.

CJ was able to be subdued with a tranquilizer gun. The groggy animal was wheeled away by police. CJ was then returned to the animal sanctuary.

As INSIDE EDITION spoke to de Rosa about CJ, the terrifying moment happened when the chimp attacked our cameraman.

"I was fighting with all my strength and I was losing the battle. Luckily, the chimp let go," said the cameraman.

Animal lover de Rosa had been looking after the chimps because their owner was having difficulty caring for them. She said she's shattered by Buddys death, but she is the first to point out that a cage is no place for a full-grown chimp.

"If you want to live with Hannibal Lecter, then let people keep breeding chimpanzees," said de Rosa.