Sacramento Police Release Body Cam Footage of Sword-armed Man's Shooting

Overview of the Incident

Body-worn camera footage released by the Sacramento Police Department on Sunday provides a detailed account of the events that led to officers shooting a man wielding a sword earlier this month. The incident occurred on July 14, when a dispatch call was received around 1:30 a.m. from a man who claimed he had a sword and intended to kill his friend.

Initial Response and De-escalation Efforts

Upon arrival at the scene, officers found a man holding the sword outside his home in the 3100 block of Occidental Drive. They attempted to convince him to drop the weapon. The officers, including crisis negotiators, made efforts to de-escalate the situation for 30 minutes, as reported by the police department.

Despite these attempts, the man refused to drop the sword and then moved toward the officers. At this point, one officer shot him, according to the police department. In addition to lethal force, the officers also deployed less-lethal munitions.

Release of the Video

Sacramento police posted a 13-minute narrated video on YouTube on Sunday about the shooting. The video includes body-worn camera footage and emergency dispatch audio. It begins with a narration from Sgt. Dan Wiseman with the Sacramento Police Department, quickly recapping what led to the shooting.

The video then features audio of the initial dispatch call. During the call, the man, later identified as "Fred," said "I'm trying to kill my friend" multiple times and later stated, "I don't want him around anymore."

Details from the Body-Worn Camera Footage

The narrated video shows body-worn video from an officer who responded to Fred's residence on Occidental Drive as police tried to get him to drop his sword. Throughout the video, Fred can be heard expressing that he wanted to take his own life.

While an officer was trying to de-escalate the situation, Fred can be heard saying "I tried" multiple times and then saying "Eenie, meenie, miney, moe" before approaching officers with the sword in hand.

The Shooting and Aftermath

The video released on Sunday shows multiple angles of Fred being shot from the perspective of different officers. According to police, some of the shots were lethal and others nonlethal. The footage shows Fred dropping to the ground after being shot and being surrounded by officers. He received immediate medical attention at the scene.

According to police, Fred was taken to a hospital in the area and is still in critical condition. If he survives, he will be booked into the Sacramento County Main Jail for assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer and for resisting arrest.

Additional News Highlights

In other news, at least 11 people were stabbed at a Walmart in Michigan, with a suspect in custody. Three teens were shot after a house party in Stockton, according to police. Protestors gathered in Sacramento to express displeasure with the Trump administration. A Sacramento mother and baby have been missing for over 10 days, with the family desperate for answers.

Additionally, evacuation orders are in effect for Tuolumne and Mariposa counties due to the Boneyard Fire, which is caused by vegetation. For more information, readers are encouraged to check out the full story on the Sacramento police release of body cam footage from the shooting of a man armed with a sword.