MEDIA RELEASE / COMMUNITY ALERT
For Immediate Release No. 20190928-052
Saturday, September 28, 2019
Officer Involved Shooting Preliminary Information Release
San Mateo, CA – We are issuing preliminary information regarding an officer involved shooting that occurred this evening. On Saturday, September 28, 2019, at 5:19 P.M, San Mateo Police Department officers were involved in a shooting in the 500 block of East Hillsdale Court following a short pursuit, which terminated in a cul de sac. As the suspect vehicle advanced toward officers and their vehicles, an officer discharged his service weapon. Two suspects were injured in the shooting and were rendered aid on scene before being transported to a local trauma center for treatment. This investigation is ongoing and information is preliminary at this time.
A San Mateo police officer was patrolling the parking lot of the Hillsdale Shopping Center when he alerted dispatch of a suspicious vehicle with temporary paper license plates loitering in the parking lot at 5:03 P.M.. Officers learned the temporary paper license plates were registered to a Honda, when the vehicle was in fact a Chevrolet, leading officers to believe the vehicle was stolen.
The Chevrolet exited Hillsdale Shopping Center as it was being monitored and officers attempted to stop the vehicle. The suspects failed to stop and led officers on a pursuit, where the occupants appeared to be throwing credit cards out of the vehicle along S El Camino Real at 31st Avenue.
During the pursuit, the suspect vehicle hit another vehicle in the 400 block of E Hillsdale Blvd and continued to flee toward E Hillsdale Court. At 5:19 P.M., the suspect vehicle entered a cul-de-sac as officers closely followed and planned for a traffic stop. Seconds later, as officers exited their police vehicles to approach the suspects for apprehension, the suspect vehicle advanced toward officers and their vehicles. An officer discharged his service weapon striking the two occupants in the vehicle.
Officers immediately called for paramedics and began rendering medical aid, including CPR, until San Mateo Consolidated Fire Department arrived to take over medical care and transport to a local trauma center for treatment of their injuries.
As with any officer involved critical incident, San Mateo County protocol is followed. There are three concurrent, independent investigations that take place. The first investigation focuses on the crime at hand and is conducted by the San Mateo Police Department. The second investigation focuses on the use of force and is conducted independently by the San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office. The third investigation will be administrative to ensure the officer acted within policy and is conducted by the San Mateo Police Department.
This investigation is ongoing and information is preliminary at this time. Should further information become available, an update will be issued. We understand the impact of this event. Incidents like these are difficult and we appreciate our community’s patience throughout the investigative review process.
CONTACT POLICE WITH INFORMATION
Anyone with additional information regarding this incident, is encouraged to contact the San Mateo Police Department at (650) 522-7700. Anonymous crime tips can be submitted to http://tinyurl.com/SMPDTips or by calling (650) 522-7676.
MEDIA CONTACT
Michael Haobsh
Public Information Officer
Community & Media Relations
Desk: (650) 522-7626
Email: [email protected]
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