On
Sunday, March 18, 2018, at 9:13 p.m., officers from the Sacramento
Police Department (SPD) were dispatched to the 7500 block of 29th Street regarding a subject breaking into vehicles. The caller stated that the male subject had broken car windows and was now hiding in a backyard. The caller described the subject as a male, 6’1”, thin, wearing a black hoodie and dark pants.
SPD Officers arrived on scene at approximately 9:18 p.m. The Sacramento Sheriff’s Department’s helicopter (STAR) was on scene searching for the suspect as well. At approximately 9:25 p.m., STAR advised they observed a subject in a backyard and began to direct SPD officers to him. STAR advised the subject had just picked up a toolbar and broke a window to a residence. The
helicopter then observed the suspect running south, towards the front
of the residence, where he stopped and was looking into another car. STAR continued to update the officers and guided them to the suspect in the rear yard of a residence in the 7500 block of 29th Street. Officers entered the front yard and observed the suspect along the side of the residence. The officers gave the suspect commands to stop and show his hands. The suspect immediately fled from the officers and ran towards the back of the home.
Officers
pursued the suspect and located him in the backyard of the residence.
The suspect turned and advanced towards the officers while holding an
object which was extended in front of him. The officers believed the suspect was pointing a firearm at them. Fearing
for their safety, the officers fired their duty weapons striking the
suspect multiple times. The involved officers held their position for
approximately five minutes, until additional officers arrived. Officers approached the suspect, handcuffed him and began life saving efforts.
The suspect was pronounced deceased at the scene by fire personnel. The identity of the suspect will be released by the Sacramento County Coroner’s Office once the next of kin has been notified.
Homicide
detectives, Internal Affairs, and Crime Scene Investigation Units
responded to the scene to begin the officer-involved shooting
investigation. As part of the
department’s protocol, this incident is being investigated in
conjunction with the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office, the
Sacramento City Attorney’s Office and the City’s Office of Public Safety
Accountability.
The two Sacramento Police Officers involved in this incident have two and four years with the Sacramento Police Department. However, both have four years prior law enforcement experience with other agencies before joining SPD. None of the officers involved were injured in this incident. Per department policy, the officers involved in the shooting have been placed on paid administrative leave.
This incident falls under the City Council policy on Police Use of Force. As a result, the video and audio associated with this incident will be released to the public within 30 days.
