The Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office is investigating Petaluma’s officer-involved shooting that happened on April 3, 2018. This is a preliminary press release; more information will be released as soon as it is available.
On April 3, 2018 at approximately 12:00 p.m., Petaluma Police responded to a 911 call in the 100 block of Lakeville Circle. The caller stated there was a man making suicidal threats and possibly had a gun. Police officers arrived and found the suspect standing in front of the apartment. Officers used de-escalation techniques to try to calm him down while other officers evacuated nearby apartments. Medical personnel were parked near the scene. At one point the suspect pulled a handgun from his pants pocket and pointed it at his head. Officers continuously talked to him for approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes, trying to resolve the situation.
At approximately 1:51 p.m., the suspect pointed the gun toward the officers. Fearing for their lives and the lives of others around them, five officers fired their guns at the suspect. Officers fired approximately 16 rounds; at least one round hit the suspect in the abdomen. The officers immediately provided emergency medical treatment and Petaluma Fire Department paramedics joined officers in providing medical aid. The suspect was transported to a local hospital and is still there. No officers were injured during the incident.
Detectives interviewed a witness from the apartment complex, who stated the suspect raised a gun towards the officers, at which time the officers fired their guns at him.
All five officers had activated their body-worn cameras during the incident; that footage is being reviewed as part of the investigation. The Sheriff’s Office has obtained several search warrants to gather evidence as part of the investigation.
The Sheriff’s Office is investigating this incident per the County’s Fatal Incident Protocol. If you have information about this incident, please contact the Sheriff’s Office Investigative Unit at 707-565-2185.
Prepared by: Misti D. Harris, Community Engagement Liaison
Media inquiries: 707-565-3941
