On Sunday, November 6, 2016 at 1:37 a.m., an officer from the Sacramento Police Department was providing supplemental security in a business near the 400 block of North 16^th Street.  The officer’s attention was drawn towards two groups of subjects in the parking lot.  The two groups of adult men appeared to be engaged in a physical altercation.  The officer, along with two private security officers, exited the business to intervene and break up the fight.   The two groups separated and dispersed in two different directions.

As the groups were leaving the area, a subject produced a firearm and began shooting.  The involved officer was in the parking lot as this shooting unfolded.  The two private security officers and several other people were also in the parking lot in the immediate area of where the shooting occurred.  The officer immediately drew his firearm and fired multiple rounds at the armed gunman.  He drew the attention of the suspect who then began to shoot at the officer.  The officer sought protection from the gunfire behind a nearby vehicle.  The suspect fired several rounds from his weapon before fleeing the scene. 

The officer quickly located a 36-year-old male outside the business who had sustained critical gunshot wounds during the incident.  The Sacramento Fire Department responded and transported the man to a local hospital.  Despite the efforts of medical professionals, the man later succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at the hospital.  Although investigative ballistic tests have not yet been concluded in this case, the preliminary assessment suggests that the victim was hit by gunfire from someone other than the involved officer.

Homicide detectives, Internal Affairs, and Crime Scene Investigation Units responded to the scene to begin the officer-involved shooting investigation.  As part of the department’s protocol, this incident is being investigated in conjunction with the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office and the City’s Office of Public Safety Accountability. 

The officer involved in the incident has over 20 years of service with the Sacramento Police Department.  Remarkably, the officer sustained no injuries during the barrage of gunfire that left the vehicle he was behind significantly damaged.  As per department policy, the officer involved in the shooting has been placed on paid administrative leave.

At this time, the suspect remains outstanding. 

The Sacramento Police Department encourages any witnesses with information regarding this shooting to contact the dispatch center at (916) 264-5471 or Crime Alert at (916) 443-HELP (4357) or submit an anonymous tip using the free “P3 Tips” smartphone app.  Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.