2021-03-23: 5900 block of Tangerine Ave

Summary

On Tuesday, March 23, 2021 at approximately 11:56 p.m., Sacramento Police Department patrol officers responded to the 5900 block of Tangerine Ave regarding a report of sounds of shots being fired that was made by a community member. The caller did not provide a suspect description.

While officers were checking the area, one officer observed a subject, later identified as 32-year old Joshua Hippard, walking in the street. The officer illuminated Hippard and attempted to contact him. Hippard approached the police vehicle and fired multiple rounds into the open passenger side window, one striking the officer in the abdomen and one striking the driver’s seat. The officer jumped out of the vehicle and returned fire, striking Hippard.

Hippard then fell to the ground while still holding his firearm. Additional officers arrived and began giving commands for Hippard to drop the weapon. He complied but refused to distance himself from it.

While officers were issuing commands, Hippard reached for the firearm multiple times. In order to safely detain him, officers from the Sacramento Police Department SWAT and Crisis Negotiation teams responded to assist. Over the course of several hours, multiple de-escalation techniques were used. Hippard refused to move away from his gun so members from the SPD Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit used a specialty robot to move the loaded .45 caliber Glock pistol out of his reach.

With the firearm out of reach, officers were then able to safely approach Hippard, detain him, and render medical aid. Personnel from the Sacramento Fire Department arrived to take over his medical aid and transported Hippard to a hospital for treatment. Hippard was later booked at the Sacramento County Main Jail on several charges, including attempted murder. Subsequent investigation determined that prior to officers’ arrival on scene, Hippard fired his gun at an occupied moving vehicle in the area.

During the negotiations, the initial responding officer was transported to a local hospital for his injuries. The officer’s vest protected him from critical injury, and he has since been released from the hospital.

Audio and video releases

On April 02, 2021 SPD released video and audio material related to this incident. The material consisted of one narrated video, two body worn camera videos, one surveillance video, one in car camera video, six dispatch audio files, one radio transmission audio file, and three unmanned aerial systems (UAS) video. The material released on April 02, 2021 begins with the initial response of officers and end when the officers take the suspect into custody.

On April 21, 2021 SPD released additional video and audio material related to this incident. The material consisted of one narrated video, fifty-five body-worn camera videos, thirteen in-car camera videos, six dispatch audio files, one radio transmission audio file, five surveillance videos, and thirty-four unmanned aerial systems (UAS) videos. The material released on April 21, 2021 begins with the initial response of officers and ends when the subject is transported by Sacramento Fire Department (SFD) personnel to a local hospital.

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 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.