Full Notification

Detectives from the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office Violent Crimes Unit have been investigating an officer involved shooting that occurred on August 5^th, shortly after 9:00 PM and are releasing more details of the incident.

On that date and time officers from the San Rafael Police Department were investigating an unrelated hit and run collision. One officer located a man standing in the middle of the street at Market St and Verdi St holding a 7 inch folding knife and 6 inch barber shears in his hands, acting suspicious. This man was later identified as 48-year-old transient Faramarz Aghazadeh of San Rafael. The San Rafael Police Officer exited his patrol car and confronted Aghazadeh as he called for more officers to respond.

The officer engaged Aghazadeh with verbal de-escalation techniques as other officers formed a perimeter around the area to protect the public. Multiple officers continued with verbal de-escalation tactics for approximately 30 minutes as Aghazadeh continued walking eastbound on Verdi St towards Belvedere St. The perimeter had been established at that location and a Marin County Deputy Sheriff, Jaime Rodarte, was positioned there with a less lethal shotgun loaded with bean bag rounds.

As Aghazadeh continued to approach the outer perimeter near Belvedere St. the Deputy Rodarte fired four rounds of less lethal bean bag projectiles, striking Aghazadeh. Aghazadeh wasn’t deterred by the bean bag rounds and began running at full speed holding the knife and shears upwards in a stabbing motion towards the Marin County Sheriff’s Deputy holding the less lethal shotgun.

San Rafael Police Officer Kevin MacDougald, a 42-year veteran of the force was stationed near the deputy. Seeing the impending attack, he ran across the street and fired three rounds from his duty .45 caliber semiautomatic handgun. These rounds struck Aghazadeh as he was still charging the deputy and was only about three feet away from stabbing him.

Aghazadeh fell to the ground and officers began life saving efforts. An ambulance, that had been staged, was able to get him to a local hospital where Aghazadeh remains in stable condition.

Officer MacDougald has been placed on paid administration leave, as is standard protocol on officer involved incidents. The incident was captured on department issued body cameras and a copy of the full investigation will be completed and sent to the Marin County District Attorney’s Office for review.

Aghazadeh has had several police contacts beginning in 1996 with several misdemeanor offenses including petty theft, vandalism and vehicle theft, for which he’s currently on probation. Aghazadeh remains hospitalized and criminal charges of attempted murder of a police officer will be sought upon his release.

Prepared by: Sgt. Spencer Crum
Media Inquiries: 707-565-3941