Full Notification

Officer Involved Shooting

Incident Date/Time:  Friday, January 16, 2015 at 2:02 p.m.

Incident Location:  Lake Arrowhead Ave

Fremont Police Detectives are actively investigating an assault with a deadly weapon incident that led to an officer involved shooting on Friday, January 16, 2015.  On Friday, January 16, 2015, at approximately 2:00 p.m. a male carrying a knife (later identified as suspect,  Zaki Shinwary, 48 years old/Hayward resident) approached a 54-year-old adult male contract worker who was standing near a vehicle on Great Salt Lake Court.  The victim stated that Shinwary began screaming and making stabbing motions with the knife while coming towards him.  The victim yelled for help and backed away.  The victim was able to evade Shinwary by taking refuge behind a tree, but Shinwary followed.  Shinwary continued making thrusting motions with the knife, coming extremely close to stabbing the victim.

The victim’s co-worker, a 21-year-old adult male, was alerted to his colleague’s yells for help and came out of a residence to check on him.  Shinwary saw the 21-year-old exit the house and immediately turned his attention towards him.  The 21-year-old stated that he saw a knife in Shinwary’s hand and that Shinwary began yelling and walking towards him. The second victim further explained that Shinwary then began to run at him, so he ran away and got behind a car.  While in the street, the second victim was able to alert a neighbor he saw standing across the street and yelled for her to call the police.  Shinwary then walked out of the court, southbound along Great Salt Lake Drive, telling the second victim he was going to come back.  In fear for his safety, the second victim armed himself with a piece of wood in case Shinwary returned.  Within a short period of time, the second victim then witnessed Shinwary walk back past the court, northbound toward Great Salt Lake Drive, then turn right onto Lake Arrowhead Ave.

Fremont Dispatch then received a call at 2:02 p.m., from a caller who reported that a male had pulled out a knife and was walking down the street pointing it at people.  Dispatchers immediately put out the call and several officers responded to the area.

The first officer to arrive was Officer Jeff Lawrence.  Officer Lawrence contacted the reporting party, who confirmed the suspect was still armed and reported the suspect was last seen headed toward Sylvester Harvey Park.  At 2:13 p.m., Officer Lawrence saw Shinwary walking across Lake Arrowhead Avenue and into the park.  Officer Lawrence turned on his patrol vehicle’s emergency overhead lights and briefly sounded his siren.  Sergeant Jared Morrison and Sergeant Daniel O’Connell arrived just as Officers Lawrence’s vehicle stopped alongside the south sidewalk of the park on Lake Arrowhead Ave.  Shinwary immediately turned around and began walking at a fast pace directly towards Officer Lawrence.  With his hands concealed, he began yanking at his clothing as though trying to pull something from his jacket pocket.  Officer Lawrence got out of his vehicle, drew his firearm and immediately began giving commands, ordering Shinwary to stop moving and show his hands.   Both sergeants ran toward Officer Lawrence’s vehicle to assist.  Sergeant Morrison positioned himself near Officer Lawrence, while Sergeant O’Connell positioned himself along the passenger side of the vehicle, armed with a TASER®.

Shinwary did not respond to the officers’ repeated commands.  He pulled a knife from his clothing with his right hand and quickly continued his advance toward Officer Lawrence.  Officer Lawrence, fearing for his life, fired his duty weapon at Shinwary.  Simultaneously to Officer Lawrence firing his weapon, Sergeant O’Connell fired his TASER across the hood from the passenger side of the patrol vehicle.

Sergeant Morrison relayed by police radio “shots fired” and immediately requested ambulance and medical aid.  Fremont Fire paramedics declared Shinwary deceased at the scene.  All three officers are on paid administrative leave, as is department policy.

This investigation is being jointly investigated by the Fremont Police Department and the Alameda County District’s Attorney’s Office.  Anyone who has information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Fremont Police Department Crimes Against Persons Unit at 510-790-6900.

Media/Press:  Please Contact Public Affairs Manager Geneva Bosques at 510-790-6957 or Lieutenant Tom Severance at 510-790-6906.