2023-09-12: 300 block of L Street

Summary

On September 11, 2023, at approximately 10:55 p.m., Sacramento Police Department patrol officers responded to the 900 block of J Street regarding a man armed with a gun, who possibly fired off a round. The complainant provided a detailed description of the individual. Officers arrived on scene and were unable to locate him. A police report was generated.

On September 12, 2023, at approximately 1:00 a.m., Sacramento Police Department patrol officers responded to a parking garage in the 300 block of L Street regarding a man armed with a gun and pointing it at multiple security guards. The complainant provided a detailed description of the individual matching that of the call from J Street.

Officers arrived on scene and developed a plan before attempting to contact the individual on the 6th floor of the parking garage.

Officers drove up to the 6th floor of the parking garage and contacted the victims who were standing by.

Officers located the individual in the northeast corner of the 6th floor and developed a plan to safely move closer and began communication. Officers positioned their vehicles to provide cover as they believed the individual was still armed. After the officers were in position, the individual pointed a flashlight and a firearm at officer’s numerous times.

After initial contact, an Uncrewed Aerial System was deployed and captured the individual pointing the firearm at officers again.

Officers communicated with the individual and asked him to put down the firearm. The individual refused to do so and again, pointed the firearm at officers who were taking cover behind police vehicles.

As officers continued their attempts to talk to the individual, officers observed him fire a single round into the air from the firearm.

After the initial responding patrol officers attempted to make contact with the individual for several hours, officers from the Crisis Negotiation Team and SWAT Team responded to the scene to assist. Crisis negotiators began trying to talk with the individual for over an hour as they attempted to reach a peaceful resolution. During this time, officers heard the individual fire another round from the firearm.

Utilizing a magnified lens, the SWAT officer was able to view the actions of the individual who was standing on an elevated platform approximately 85 yards away.

SWAT officers formulated a plan to move a PA system in an attempt to better communicate with the individual. A SWAT officer moved from behind cover to place the equipment. When the officer moved from behind cover, the individual stood up and raised the firearm in his direction. An officer-involved shooting occurred.

Additional officers on scene developed a plan to safely approach the individual who was still moving with the firearm close by. The firearm was an eight-round .22 revolver and the cylinder contained 5 spent casings and 3 live rounds.

Officers approached the individual and rendered emergency medical aid. Despite these efforts, Sacramento Fire Personnel pronounced the individual deceased.

Press releases

• September 12, 2023 Officer-Involved Shooting 300 Block of L Street
• September 27, 2023 Officer-Involved Shooting Video Release – 300 Block of L Street

Audio and video releases

On September 27, 2023 SPD released video and audio material related to this incident. This content consisted of one narrated video, two dispatch files, six body-worn camera videos, one Uncrewed Aerial System video, and five surveillance videos. The videos begin with Sacramento Police Department Officers responding to a call for service of an individual armed with a gun and conclude with officers providing the armed individual emergency medical aid.

On October 10, 2023 SPD released additional video and audio material related to this incident. This content consisted of one narrated video, forty body-worn camera videos, four in-car camera videos, eleven surveillance videos, 75 Uncrewed Aerial System videos, four dispatch phone call recordings, and two dispatch radio recordings. The videos begin with Sacramento Police Department Officers responding to a call for service of an individual armed with a gun and conclude when the subject is declared deceased by Sacramento Fire Department (SFD) personnel.

All video and audio released has been redacted to ensure the confidentiality and privacy of those involved. The faces and/or identifying materials have been blurred, and audio redactions are signified by muted audio with no accompanying sound. The material is available to the media and citizens through the YouTube links below:

Status

This incident is being investigated by the Sacramento Police Department's Homicide Unit, Internal Affairs Division, and Professional Standards Unit. An investigation into the incident will also be conducted by the Force Investigation Team. The investigation will focus on policy, tactics, and training as it relates to the use of force. The Office of Public Safety Accountability and the Sacramento County District Attorney's Office are providing oversight by monitoring the investigation.