Sword-Wielding Suspect Shot by Police; Video Captures Final Moments

Overview of the Incident

The Sacramento Police Department has shared a new video on social media that captures the events leading up to an officer-involved shooting that took place on July 14. The video, which is 13 minutes long, begins with officers responding to a call about a suspect who claimed to be armed with a sword and was allegedly trying to kill his friend. It concludes with officers providing emergency medical care.

On the night of July 14, around 1:30 a.m., Sacramento police received a report of a disturbance involving a weapon in the 3100 block of Occidental Drive. According to the department, the suspect had called the police and was threatening to kill his roommate. Officers were dispatched to the scene to address the situation.

Response and Negotiation

At approximately 1:45 a.m., police arrived at the location and found the suspect armed with a sword outside his home. The officers attempted to de-escalate the situation and negotiate with the suspect to put down the weapon. During this time, the Crisis Negotiators Team (CNT) was also called to the scene to assist in resolving the crisis.

The CNT tried to persuade the suspect to drop the sword, but he refused. In the body camera footage, the suspect can be heard expressing a desire to take his own life. The video shows the CNT continuing to engage with the suspect, attempting to calm him down.

Escalation and Use of Force

At some point, the suspect stood up, removed the sword from its sheath, and began moving toward the officers while swinging the weapon. In response, officers deployed less-lethal munitions. Despite this, the suspect continued to approach the officers, prompting one officer to fire their firearm. The suspect was struck at least once and fell to the ground.

After the suspect was subdued, officers detained him and provided emergency medical assistance. Additional footage from the police department’s Uncrewed Aerial System (UAS) captured the suspect moving toward the officers while swinging the sword. The video also showed officers retreating and using both less-lethal and lethal rounds during the incident.

Medical Attention and Legal Consequences

The video concludes with body camera footage showing officers administering emergency medical aid to the suspect. According to Sacramento police, the suspect was then transported to a local hospital by the Sacramento Fire Department, where he remains in critical condition. He is expected to be booked into the Sacramento County Main Jail for assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer and resisting arrest.

Ongoing Investigation

The incident is currently under investigation by the Sacramento Police Department's Homicide Unit, Internal Affairs Division, and Professional Standards Unit. The Office of Public Safety Accountability and the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office are monitoring the investigation to ensure transparency and accountability.

For those interested in viewing the video, it is available through the official channels of the Sacramento Police Department. The release of this footage aims to provide clarity and context surrounding the events that transpired on the night of July 14.