On November 20, 2019, at approximately 1:16 a.m., officers responded to a report of a felony assault that had occurred.  The victim reported that the suspect had threatened to kill him with a hatchet.  Officers began an investigation and a search for the suspect.  Officers located the suspect along a canal near I-80, east of Norwood.  The suspect refused to cooperate with officers, and instead attacked officers.  The suspect threw a large rock, which hit an officer.  Officers attempted to detain the suspect, but the suspect fled and a short foot pursuit ensued.  Once officers caught up with the suspect, he continued to refuse officers’ commands.  Officers discharged a conductive energy device (CED) at the suspect and attempted to take the suspect into custody.  The suspect continued to resist officers as units responding to assist attempted to locate them along the canal. 

During the struggle, the suspect’s dog began biting an officer while they were actively attempting to take the suspect into custody.  Fearing for his safety, the officer was forced to discharge his firearm at the dog.   The suspect was not injured during the entire incident. 

The officer was injured from the dog bite, and was transported to a local hospital where he was treated and released. The other officer, who had a rock thrown at him, sustained swelling and bruising from the incident. The dog sustained a fatal gunshot wound. The suspect has been identified as 36-year-old Alvin Williams.  Williams was arrested and booked at the Sacramento County Main Jail.  Williams was booked on multiple felonies, including assault with a deadly weapon, and assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer.

The Sacramento Police Department continues to investigate this incident.  This press release is a summary of the facts known to us at the time.