2020-09-1: 1200 block of Rivera Drive

Summary

On August 4th, 2020, officers responded to reports of a disturbance on the 1200 block of Rivera Drive in North Sacramento. The suspect was reported to be armed with a firearm and suicidal.

While officers were in pursuit of the suspect, a Sacramento Police Department (SPD) sergeant responded to the original scene to check on the welfare of the reporting party. Seconds later, the suspect drove down Rivera Drive towards the sergeant and his marked patrol vehicle. As he passed by, the suspect fired multiple rounds at the sergeant, striking the patrol vehicle twice. Further investigation revealed that Wheeler had fired at multiple officers during the pursuit.

The suspect in this incident was identified as 50-year-old Albert Wheeler.

Wheeler remained outstanding for nearly a month. On the afternoon of September 1st, 2020, officers were on the 500 block of Wisconsin Ave conducting follow-up to this incident. Detectives confirmed that Albert Wheeler was inside a residence on this block. Detectives were able to confirm that the suspect was inside the residence along with multiple other occupants.

At approximately 3:42 p.m., SacPD Officers, SWAT, and Crisis Negotiators responded and safely evacuated the other occupants of the residence, leaving only Wheeler inside. Crisis Negotiators made contact with Wheeler and negotiated for nearly an hour for his safe surrender. During the negotiations, Wheeler made multiple statements that he wasn’t going back to prison.

At approximately 6:52 p.m., the Sacramento Police Air Unit spotted Wheeler running from the residence toward an officer stationed on the perimeter of the scene. The in-car-camera footage shows Wheeler holding the firearm and aiming it at the officer multiple times while running towards him. The officer fires multiple rounds as he backs away from Wheeler. The officer trips and falls to his back. The officer stands up and discharges an additional round while Wheeler is still pointing the firearm in his direction. 

An SPD K9 was also deployed shortly after Wheeler was observed running from the residence.

Helicopter footage shows the semi-automatic handgun in the immediate vicinity of Wheeler as a contact team approached him. The firearm was identified as a 9mm Beretta and was loaded with 15 rounds.

SacPD officers rendered medical aid until Sacramento Fire Department personnel arrived and took over the officers’ life-saving measures. Despite these efforts, Albert Wheeler was declared deceased on-scene.

Audio and video releases

On September 8, 2020, SPD released video and audio material related to this incident. The material consisted of one narrated video, one body-worn-camera (BWC) videos, one helicopter video, two dispatch audio files and one Crisis Negotiation audio recordings.

On September 29, 2020, SPD supplemented its public release of audio and video material related to this investigation to include: sixty-seven (67) body-worn camera (BWC) videos, twenty-two (22) in-car camera (ICC) videos, one (1) helicopter video, fourteen (14) surveillance camera videos from local area businesses, and eighteen (18) audio files including recordings of our radio dispatch, phone calls made to our Communications Center, and Crisis Negotiation audio recordings. 

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.

This incident remains under investigation. The Sacramento Police Department is committed to transparency and additional records will be released as the investigation progresses.

• Documents from 2020-261223 (11.6 MB PDF)