2020-12-13: 3200 block of Arena Boulevard

Summary

On December 13, 2020 at approximately 6:34 a.m., a Sacramento Police Department patrol officer responded to the 3200 block of Arena Boulevard regarding a solo vehicle colliding into a building. As the officer was responding to the scene, multiple callers from inside of a grocery store reported that the adult male involved in the collision was armed with a knife and was observed cutting his own throat. Once the Sacramento Police Department officer arrived, employees fleeing the store told the officer that a man inside was armed with a knife near the bakery.

Once inside the grocery store, the officer observed a male with a large knife and lacerations to his neck. The man was later identified as 26-year-old, Jordan Zenka.

The officer contacted Zenka and ordered him to drop the knife multiple times. Zenka did not comply and instead charged towards the officer. The officer created distance between himself and Zenka in an attempt to de-escalate and negotiate a peaceful resolution.

Minutes later, additional officers arrived with less-lethal options. Sacramento County Sheriff’s Deputies and an officer from the California Highway Patrol also responded to assist. As the negotiations continued for over 20 minutes, additional Sacramento Police Department officers located employees who were hiding throughout the store and guided them to safety.

During the negotiations, Zenka ran towards officers armed with the knife. Multiple less-lethal systems, including a conductive energy device (Taser), 40mm exact impact rounds and bean bag shotguns were deployed. Despite being struck with multiple less-lethal systems, Zenka was minimally affected and continued to run toward a Sacramento Police Department K9 Officer and a California Highway Patrol Officer with a large serrated knife. Both of those officers fired their service handguns, striking Zenka. Zenka went to the ground and remained armed with the knife until additional less-lethal systems were deployed.

Officers formed a contact team to safely approach Zenka. Once restrained, officers rendered medical aid until they were relieved by Sacramento Fire Department personnel. Despite these efforts, Zenka was declared deceased on scene.

Audio and video releases

On December 21, 2020 SPD released video and audio material related to this incident. The material consisted of one narrated video, four body worn camera videos, three surveillance videos, four dispatch audio files and two cellular phone videos taken by witnesses. The videos released on December 21, 2020 begin when the with the initial response of officers and end when the officers began rendering medical aid.

On January 8, 2021 SPD released video and audio material related to this incident. The material consisted of one narrated video, twenty-seven body-worn camera videos, nineteen in-car camera videos, twenty-five surveillance videos, two cellular phone videos taken by witnesses, and four dispatch audio files. The material released On January 8, 2021 begins with the initial response of officers and ends when the subject is declared deceased

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 and released records

This incident is being investigated by the Sacramento Police Department’s Homicide Unit and Internal Affairs Division. A response and 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.

The Sacramento Police Department is committed to transparency and additional records, including audio and video material, will be released as the investigation progresses. 

• Documents from 20-362291 (PDF 44.6 MB)