SALINAS — The Monterey County District Attorney’s Office has released more information regarding the fatal shooting by police that took place in Sand City Wednesday morning.
According to a release from the DA’s Office, the incident began at 8:32 a.m. when a Sand City police officer initiated a traffic stop on a brown Chevy Impala on Orange Avenue. The driver and sole occupant of the Impala did not yield, the DA’s Office said, but instead drove around “in about a 5-block radius … not at a high speed.”
The driver ultimately stopped at the intersection of Orange Avenue and Catalina Street. He stopped because he was blocked by police cars both to the front and rear of his Impala, the DA’s Office said. By the time the driver stopped, multiple patrol cars from Sand City and Seaside police departments were at the scene.
Five officers proceeded to exit their patrol cars. Some had firearms drawn, except one officer, who only deployed a Taser.
Bodycam video depicts a 10-minute stand-off, during which officers tried to negotiate with the driver, and “over and over entreated him to step out of his car,” the DA’s Office explained, adding that officers also repeatedly asked the driver to show both of his hands when he continued to display only one.
Officers closed to within about 10 feet. The DA’s Office said it was at that point that the driver “suddenly displayed what appeared to be a firearm.” Officers responded by first scattering, followed by quickly firing a total of six rounds, The driver was struck by rounds and killed.
The DA’s Office reported locating a BB gun inside the Impala after the shooting.
The name of the deceased has not been released. The DA’s Office said release is pending notification of kin but that the coroner’s office may release the person’s name when they are ready. The DA’s Office also assured that it will release the names of officers involved when interviews are concluded. Those interviews are pending and will not take place Wednesday.