On Monday, January 30, 2017 at approximately 8:33 PM the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Dispatch Center received a 911 wireless hang up call. 911 Dispatchers attempted to call the number back and there was no answer. A dispatcher left a message on the voicemail and at 8:39 PM they received another call from the same number. The caller spoke Spanish, stating he was at the Lady of Guadalupe Church in Windsor and asked for an interpreter. As 911 dispatchers were connecting him with a Spanish interpreter the caller hung up again.
Deputies responded to the church to check on the welfare of the caller. There was a function taking place at the church upon their arrival at 8:43 PM. Deputies contacted the parishioners and there didn’t appear to be any problem. The deputies then checked the rear parking lot and noticed one car, a red Nissan Maxima was occupied by a man sitting in the driver’s seat. As the deputies approached the car they noticed the man was crying and talking on his cellular phone. As they got closer they saw that the man had what appeared to be a black semiautomatic handgun in his right hand, holding it to his side.
Deputies retreated and called for backup. Several more deputies responded, including a Spanish speaking deputy. The man opened the car door several times, got out then retreated back into his car, disobeying the deputy’s commands. During this time, deputies staged an ambulance and attempted to keep the public safe by evacuating the church and several residences in the immediate area. CHP Officers also assisted by blocking roads. Deputies also blocked the exit so the suspect wouldn’t be able to drive out and endanger the public.
Deputies continued to negotiate and deescalate the situation until 9:21 PM, at which point they had the man out of the car but he kept concealing his hands. The man went back towards his car at which point a deputy expended a less lethal foam tip projectile against the man. The man turned towards another deputy with the handgun at which point the deputy fired one round from his handgun, striking him in the center torso area causing the suspect to drop his weapon. The man fell to the ground and concealed his hands under him and the deputy deployed his canine and the man was quickly taken into custody. Deputies then immediately rendered first aid. The awaiting ambulance responded and took him to Memorial Hospital where he is being treated and is expected to recover from his injuries.
The deputies later determined that the man’s handgun was in fact a BB gun that was a replica of an actual semiautomatic handgun.
The man is identified as Luis Alberto Olmedo, a 25-year-old Windsor resident.
This incident is still under investigation by the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office’s Violent Crimes Unit. The county-wide fatal incident protocol was not invoked as Mr. Olmedo is expected to survive his injury.
Depression and suicide are a serious health concern. If you or a loved one are experiencing thoughts of suicide, you are encouraged to call the Sonoma County Emergency Mental Health Hotline at 1-800-746-8181. There are trained counselors on duty 24/7 to help you with your immediate concerns and interpreters are available. For more information about suicide prevention, please see the County of Sonoma Health Services website: http://www.sonoma-county.org/health/topics/suicideprevention.asp.
CR W17013005
Media Inquiries: Chief Carlos Basurto, Windsor Police Department
707-838-1234
Prepared by: Sgt. Spencer Crum
