Full Notification

Berkeley Police on Wednesday morning responded to a report of a person screaming in the street, found and treated a victim suffering from a critical gun shot, arrested a suspect and conducted a thorough search of the area to ensure that the area was clear of danger.

The report of an armed and violent suspect prompted the deployment of all of the Berkeley Police department’s on-duty Special Response Team, who receive specialized training in tactical and medical skills to maximize safety for residents, officers and suspects. Officers notified Berkeleyans of a perimeter to avoid through Nixle.

Several Special Response Team members were among the first officers to locate the victim. The SRT officers rapidly determined the victim was in danger of losing his life, with a “sucking chest wound” – which prevents proper breathing. SRT members implemented their tactical medical training and applied a specialized medical “chest seal” on the victim’s wound to stabilize his injury prior to Berkeley Fire paramedics’ arrival. The victim was subsequently taken to a nearby hospital.

Officers determined the suspect was likely inside a nearby residence. The suspect emerged from the property and was taken into custody without incident. SRT members used a small robot to clear the apartment from which the suspect emerged, and then used their tactical training to conduct a safe and deliberate search to confirm there were no additional victims or suspects in the apartment.

Several of the responding officers received their medical training and acquired their medical-response tools through Urban Shield, an unparalleled tactical scenario-training program hosted by the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office.

The Berkeley Police Department’s armored van was used to provide cover for responding officers, as they prepared to search the unsecured building.

“This is one of many examples where our officers’ training and equipment made the critical difference in saving someone’s life, safely taking a dangerous suspect into custody, and restoring safety to our community,” said Chief Andrew Greenwood. “The first sergeant on scene and two officers were SRT members who trained at Urban Shield. They confronted a chaotic scene, applied their tactical medical skills to the victim, took the suspect into custody and secured the scene. Outcomes like this are due to our officers’ courage, professionalism, and the realistic training they receive at Urban Shield.”

This investigation is ongoing. Anyone with further information should contact BPD’s Homicide Unit at (510) 981-5741.