2025-05-02: 400 Block of Jibboom Street

Summary

Below is a summary of the events known to us at this time. The investigation into this incident is in the preliminary stages, and details may change as information becomes available.

On Friday, May 2, 2025, just after 11:50 a.m., Sacramento Police Department patrol officers were dispatched to a report of a domestic violence incident involving a weapon. The caller reported that the suspect threw a knife at him, attempted to molest him, and stole his property. Additionally, the caller reported that the suspect had the caller’s BB gun. The caller identified the suspect as Johnny Balcorta who had a warrant. Responding officers were able to identify the suspect as 37-year-old Johnny Balcorta of Sacramento. Officers confirmed that Balcorta had a felony no-bail warrant for his arrest.

Officers arrived on scene around 12:00 p.m. and located Balcorta, who fled on foot from officers with what appeared to be a firearm in his hand. Officers pursued Balcorta, but lost sight of him near the waterline near Matsui Park. An officer observed the suspect place the gun to his head.

Additional officers responded, and a large perimeter was established. Resources from outside agencies, including the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office, West Sacramento Fire Department, and the California Highway Patrol were requested and responded to assist. Crisis Negotiators responded and called the suspect’s phone multiple times. A negotiator left a voicemail for the suspect.

For about 30 minutes, officers made announcements utilizing the Public Address (PA) system, calling for the suspect to come out of hiding with nothing in his hands and to surrender peacefully. Announcements were also made that a police K-9 would be used if the suspect attempted to flee.

After nearly an hour of officers trying to get the suspect to surrender, the suspect was seen again and ran from officers. Officers made additional PA announcements warning that a police K-9 would be deployed. The suspect was given several commands to stop, but he refused. A K-9 officer (officer #1) deployed his dog to apprehend the suspect. As the dog reached the suspect, officers observed a gun in his hand. At one point, the suspect turned toward the officers with the gun in his hand. The officers gave additional commands for the suspect to drop the gun, but he did not, and an officer-involved shooting occurred. During the officer-involved shooting, a less-lethal bean bag round was also utilized.

A California Highway Patrol helicopter was overhead as the incident occurred. The suspect could be seen striking the dog with the firearm before being detained by officers. The California Highway Patrol helicopter, which had a paramedic-trained officer on board, landed shortly after and assisted Sacramento Police Officers in providing emergency medical aid.

The suspect was transported to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. After receiving treatment, he was booked into the Sacramento County Main Jail on multiple charges, including brandishing an imitation firearm, assaulting a Police K-9, resisting arrest, and his outstanding felony warrant for possession of a controlled substance.

Officers recovered what were later determined to be two imitation firearms on scene. No officers were injured during the encounter.

Balcorta sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to an area hospital by the Sacramento Fire Department, where he remains in stable condition. Balcorta will be booked into the Sacramento County Main Jail once he is medically cleared.

Audio and video releases

On May 24, 2025, SPD released one narrated vide related to this incident. The video begins with Sacramento Police Department Officers responding to a call for service of a domestic violence incident involving a weapon and concludes with officers rendering emergency medical aid.

On June 1, 2025, SPD released additional video and audio material related to this incident. This content consisted of one narrated video, seventy body-worn camera videos, nineteen in-car camera videos, one helicopter video, seven audio recordings from our crisis negotiator team, and twenty-two dispatch radio recordings. The videos begin with SPD officers responding to a call for service of a domestic violence incident involving a weapon and conclude when the subject is transported to a local area hospital 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.