Vallejo, CA - The Vallejo Police Department continues to work closely with the Solano County District Attorney's Office to conduct a thorough and in-depth investigation into the officer involved shooting that occurred on February 9, 2019. The identity of the deceased has not been confirmed as of this morning.
"Any loss of life is a tragedy," stated Police Chief Andrew Bidou. "The investigation is still in the early stages, however, the following is a summary of the events that unfolded on the night of the shooting."
At approximately 10:36 PM, the Vallejo Police Department Communications Center received a 911 call from Taco Bell employees located at 974 Admiral Callaghan Lane regarding a subject slumped over in the driver's seat in their drive-thru. Two Vallejo Police patrol officers arrived on scene to check on the welfare of the driver. As the officers approached the vehicle they noticed the driver was unresponsive and had a handgun on his lap.
The officers performed a visual check to determine if other occupants were in the vehicle and began to formulate a plan to safely resolve the situation. The two officers decided to hold their position and did not attempt to wake the driver. Instead, they decided to wait for additional officers to arrive on scene and ensured that people in the parking lot were safe and did not approach the vehicle.
An additional patrol officer arrived on the scene and the officers elected to attempt to open the driver's door with the intention of one officer swiftly retrieving the firearm from the subject's lap, while another officer covered him. Unfortunately, the vehicle was locked. The officers noticed that the vehicle's transmission was in drive. At this time, additional units arrived and the officers positioned a marked patrol vehicle in front of the subject's vehicle to prevent forward or erratic movement.
Officers requested a Patrol Supervisor to respond to the scene for further assistance and began to position a marked Vallejo police patrol car to the rear of the subject's vehicle.
While officers were still positioning a patrol unit to the rear of the vehicle, and waiting for the supervisor, the driver began to suddenly move and looked at the uniformed patrol officers. Officers gave the driver several commands to put his hands up. The driver did not comply and instead he quickly moved his hands downward for the firearm.
Fearing for their safety, six officers fired their duty weapons at the driver. Officers continued to yell commands at the driver and ultimately reached through the broken glass of the driver's window to unlock the vehicle. Officers removed the driver from the vehicle, began rendering medical assistance and attempted lifesaving efforts on the driver. Unfortunately the driver was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Six officers fired their weapons firing multiple rounds. All shots were fired in approximately four seconds. The involved officers have been placed on administrate leave.
Information confirming the driver's identity, how many times the driver was struck by gunfire, and toxicology will not be available until the autopsy is completed.
Once the Vallejo Police Department receives confirmation from the Solano County Coroner's Office of the identity of the driver, the Vallejo Police Department Professional Standards Division department will attempt to make contact with the driver's next of kin.
The Vallejo Police Department Detective Division is continuing to review all of the Police Officer's body camera footage of this incident. Any potential witnesses are asked to contact Detective Scott Yates at (707) 648-4533 or Detective Craig Long at (707) 648-4514.
Please click this link to view a recorded statement on this update.
