Full Notification

Following a thorough investigation into the homicide that occurred on 143rd Ave. on December 22nd, detectives have concluded that the act was justifiable, as the victim was defending his own life when the tragic incident occurred.

On December 22nd at 12:45am, a 31 year old San Leandro man was walking toward his home in the 1200 block of 143rd Ave., when he was approached by the suspect, who police have identified as 22 year old Demario Pillors of San Leandro.  Pillors asked the man for a cigarette and then threatened the man with a large, fixed-blade kitchen knife, demanding his personal property.  The 31 year old man dropped his wallet and car keys and began to run away.  Pillors chased him for approximately 60 yards, while stabbing him in the back of the head as he ran away from the suspect.  Several witnesses heard the man yelling for help and called 911.

As police officers were responding, the victim began to feel weak and fell to the ground.  Pillors stood over him and began to stab him in the head, face and upper torso.  The victim, who tried to protect himself, feared that he would be killed if he did not fight back.  He wrestled with Pillors, managed to get the knife away, and stabbed Pillors in self-defense.  Moments later, police arrived on the scene, finding both men with stab wounds, laying in the middle of the street.  Medical aid was provided and both Pillors and the victim, who were transported to area hospitals by ambulance for medical care.  

Pillors was later pronounced deceased at the hospital by attending physicians.  Following an autopsy, the Alameda County Coroner has ruled the cause of death as homicide.

During their investigation, detectives reviewed video surveillance obtained from neighborhood residents, interviewed witnesses, examined physical evidence and interviewed the robbery victim. Based on their investigation, detectives have concluded that the homicide was justifiable by the victim, as he acted in self-defense, protecting his own life, when he stabbed Pillors.
 
Detectives met with the Alameda County District Attorney on January 4th and presented their investigation for review.  Both the SLPD and District Attorney have concluded that although very unfortunate, the homicide was justifiable pursuant to California Penal Code section 197.  Criminal charges will not filed in this case.

    
MEDIA UPDATES WILL BE MADE AS INFORMATION BECOMES AVAILABLE

Please contact the San Leandro Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division with any information regarding this case or any other case at (510) 577-3230. 

Information may also be submitted anonymously by:

•    Phone:    Anonymous Crime Tips at (510) 577-3278
•    Text Message:      Text “TipSLPolice” to 888777

For crime prevention tips, please visit the Police Department’s website at http://www.sanleandro.org/depts/pd or contact our Crime Prevention Unit at 510-577-3228.

Citizens play a critical role in creating a safe environment by observing and reporting any suspicious or criminal activity to the police.  The San Leandro Police Department recommends that citizens do not participate in any direct verbal or physical involvement with suspicious persons or those engaged in the commission of crimes. Personal safety of our community is paramount.  We encourage the San Leandro community to record the details of what they observe and to report those details to the police.  This type of community involvement and partnership has proven to be a very effective crime prevention tool.  Citizens act as the eyes and ears of the community first, and the extended eyes and ears of the San Leandro Police Department.  Thank you for being a force-multiplier in our efforts to provide professional police services and safety to the community.

PRESS RELEASE INFORMATION:

DATE / TIME OF RELEASE:  01/10/17 – 10:30am

INCIDENTS:  Dec. 22nd Homicide Ruled Justifiable
 
PRESS RELEASE OFFICER:  Lt. Robert McManus        

TELEPHONE: (510) 577-3232

EMAIL: [email protected]

DATE / TIME OF INCIDENT: 12/22/16 – 12:45am

INCIDENT LOCATION(S):  1200 block of 143rd Ave.

INVESTIGATING DETECTIVE(S):  Det. Steve Cesaretti 

SUSPECT(S):  Demario Pillors, 22 year old San Leandro resident.