In order to provide information quickly to our community, the Sacramento Police Department is releasing pertinent audio and video files from the December 13th officer involved shooting that occurred in the 3200 block of Arena Boulevard.  The material consists of one narrated video, four body worn camera videos, three surveillance videos, four dispatch audio files and two cellular phone videos taken by witnesses.  The videos being released today begin with the initial response of officers and end when the officers began rendering medical aid. 

All videos being released from this incident have been redacted to ensure the confidentiality and privacy of those involved. Faces have been blurred and audio redactions are signified by muted audio. 

Below is a summary of the facts known to us at this time. 

On December 13, 2020 at approximately 6:34 a.m., a Sacramento Police Department patrol officer responded to the 3200 block of Arena Boulevard regarding a solo vehicle colliding into a building. As the officer was responding to the scene, multiple callers from inside of a grocery store reported that the adult male involved in the collision was armed with a knife and was observed cutting his own throat. 

Once the Sacramento Police Department officer arrived, employees fleeing the store told the officer that a man inside was armed with a knife near the bakery. Once inside the grocery store, the officer observed a male with a large knife and lacerations to his neck. The man was later identified as 26-year-old, Jordan Zenka. 

The officer contacted Zenka and ordered him to drop the knife multiple times.  Zenka did not comply and instead charged towards the officer.  The officer created distance between himself and Zenka in an attempt to de-escalate and negotiate a peaceful resolution. 

Minutes later, additional officers arrived with less-lethal options.  Sacramento County Sheriff’s Deputies and an officer from the California Highway Patrol also responded to assist.  As the negotiations continued for over 20 minutes, additional Sacramento Police Department officers located employees who were hiding throughout the store and guided them to safety. 

During the negotiations, Zenka ran towards officers armed with the knife.  Multiple less-lethal systems, including a conductive energy device (Taser), 40mm exact impact rounds and bean bag shotguns were deployed. Despite being struck with multiple less-lethal systems, Zenka was minimally affected and continued to run toward a Sacramento Police Department K9 Officer and a California Highway Patrol Officer with a large serrated knife. Both of those officers fired their service handguns, striking Zenka. Zenka went to the ground and remained armed with the knife until additional less-lethal systems were deployed. 

Officers formed a contact team to safely approach Zenka.  Once restrained, officers rendered medical aid until they were relieved by Sacramento Fire Department personnel.  Despite these efforts, Zenka was declared deceased on scene. 

The Sacramento Police Department is committed to transparency and additional videos will be released as the investigation continues. The material is now available through the YouTube link below. These links will also be posted on our department’s website, Facebook page, Instagram and Twitter account (@sacpolice). 

YouTube playlist link with videos: 

20-362291: Officer Involved Shooting –3200 Block of Arena Boulevard 

Original press release and Sacramento Police Department Use of Force General Order: 

Officer Involved Shooting – 3200 Block of Arena Blvd 

Sacramento Police Department Use of Force General Order