Police Incidents

April 09, 2024 Man is told to leave a gas station by a security guard (he was apparently grilling in the parking lot and had been asked to leave multiple times). Man pulls a gun. Security guard engages. Man fires back hitting the security guard in the thigh. Man is taken to the hospital and dies. Security guard is expected to be fine and is not facing charges.

On Saturday, March 30, 2024, at 2:16 p.m., JSO Patrol officers were dispatched to the 1800 block of Bertha Street after a complaint of erratic behavior by a male armed with a large knife, later identified as 49-year-old Jimmy Lamar Riggs. Police officers immediately canvassed the area looking for Riggs. At 2:36 p.m., Officers Vale and Easterly were flagged down by a concerned citizen who directed them to the southeast corner of Atlantic Boulevard and Belote place, where Riggs was located. Officers Vale and Easterly immediately observed that Riggs was holding a large knife above his head. The officers both yelled loud verbal commands to Riggs to drop the knife. Rather than comply with the officers' directives, Riggs walked towards the officers, still wielding the large knife above his head. At 2:37 p.m., when Riggs came within 10 to 15 feet of the officers Officer Vale fired his firearm while officer Easterly simultaneously deployed his agency issue taser. Riggs fell to the ground, both struck by the gunfire and momentarily incapacitated by the effects of the taser. Officer Vale handcuffed Riggs, and Officer Easterly kicked away from Riggs the knife that Riggs had been holding. Within a minute, rescue was on scene and Riggs was immediately transported to a local hospital for medical treatment. He suffered multiple gunshot wounds to his lower body, in addition to self-inflicted stab wounds to his abdomen. Riggs remains hospitalized in critical condition in a local hospital. the following body warn camera footage captured the shooting Crime scene detectives responded to the scene and collected the large knife with which Riggs had been armed. Riggs' arrest history includes multiple felony arrests for crimes including kidnapping, robbery, burglary and drug possession. Additionally, Riggs had three known mental health evaluations pursuant to the Baker Act. Due to his actions immediately prior to this critical incident, Riggs is currently charged with two counts of Aggravated Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer.

On March 16, 2024, at 9:20 p.m., East Los Angeles Station deputies responded to a market in the 3600 block of Pomeroy Street, Unincorporated Los Angeles, regarding a call of a disturbance at the business. The caller stated a male was holding a metal stick harassing customers in front of the store. A few minutes later, the call was updated to include the male was holding a black handgun. The male was later identified as 28- year-old Martin Sebastian from the Unincorporated Los Angeles area. Deputies responded and located Sebastian standing in front of the business. Sebastian pointed a firearm at the deputies at which time a deputy-involved shooting occurred. Sebastian sustained several gunshot wounds. Deputies rendered first aid until the arrival of Los Angeles County Fire Department paramedics. Sebastian was pronounced dead at the scene. A replica firearm was recovered at the scene. No other persons were injured during this incident.

This investigation began at 2:24 a.m. on April 2, 2024, when SLC911 received a 9-1-1 call from an employee working at the Chevron gas station, located at 875 South State Street. The employee told the 9-1-1 call taker the suspect, later identified as Mr. Cloward, had a knife and tried to stab him through a window. Based on the employee’s statements to SLC911, Mr. Cloward may have committed an aggravated robbery by using, or threatening to use, a dangerous weapon during the commission of a robbery or attempted robbery. When officers arrived, they found Mr. Cloward walking in the gas station’s parking lot. Officers could see Mr. Cloward holding a knife. Mr. Cloward started walking north from the gas station on the east sidewalk of State Street. Mr. Cloward turned around, faced officers, and began walking back into the gas station parking lot. Body-worn camera footage from one of the officers on scene captured him telling Mr. Cloward to stop walking toward the gas station. Body-worn camera footage shows Mr. Cloward holding his knife with the blade positioned under his chin. Officers gave repeated commands for Mr. Cloward to drop the knife, stop walking, and to get on the ground. Mr. Cloward refused the officers’ orders, and repeatedly said, “I don’t care.” An officer requested a “less lethal shotgun.” Officers began creating distance between them and Mr. Cloward as he continued to hold the knife. As this occurred, Mr. Cloward took steps toward the officers, while holding the knife, and while continuing to disregard their orders to stop. Four (4) SLCPD officers used deadly force. Officers placed Mr. Cloward into custody and conducted a medical assessment. Gold Cross and Salt Lake City Fire confirmed Mr. Cloward died on scene.

At 11 a.m. on June 3, 2022 a Naperville Police Officer conducted a traffic stop on northbound Bond Street, north of McDowell Road on Naperville's northwest side. Approximately 12 minutes into the stop, an uninvolved vehicle pulled up next to the vehicle the officer had pulled over. A man quickly exited the vehicle and immediately charged at the officer with a hatchet in his hand. The officer, a 22-year veteran of the Naperville Police Department, discharged his firearm, striking the subject. The suspect, a white male in his 20s, was transported to an area hospital, where he was pronounced deceased. Neither the officer nor any bystanders were physically injured.

On March 29, 2024, at approximately 1300 hours, Sparks Police Officer conducted a traffic stop on a Ford expedition with no license plate. The officer attempted to make contact with driver however the driver immediately produced a firearm and fired at the officer through driver side window, striking the officer. The officer sustained multiple injuries as a result of suspect actions. The officer fired his firearm at the suspect. The suspect fled the scene eastbound in a Ford Expedition. The suspect ran a stop sign at an intersection and collided with another vehicle which was traveling southbound, disabling the Expedition. The suspect exited his vehicle and fled on foot. At approximately 1340 hours, Sparks PD Emergency Dispatch received a 911 call stating a black male adult forcibly entered an occupied residence. The caller advised, she had been cooking in the kitchen when the suspect entered her residence with a firearm. The victim reported she used a knife she was holding to protect her and her children by cutting the suspect who then fled out of the back of the residence. As officers and deputies from multiple agencies began setting up a perimeter, a shelter in place order was given to the residence in the immediate area due to the threat the suspect posed to the community. Officers from the Sparks PD, Reno PD, and Washoe County Sheriff’s Office began conducting a door to door search for the suspect. The investigation later revealed during this time, the suspect had entered another residence and taken that female occupant hostage. At approximately 1400 hours, officers contacted that female who was attempting to leave the area in a vehicle. The female driver was advised by the officers that there was a shelter in place order and was told to go back inside. The female then drove into her garage and closed the door. The officer later learned the female driver had been taken hostage by the suspect and he had forced her to drive out of the search area while he hid in the rear passenger compartment of the vehicle. As officers continued their search, they contacted the same residence to ensure the suspect was not inside the house. A Washoe County deputy made contact with the female occupant who was later determined to be the kidnapped victim who had previously attempted to driver out of the search area. As the deputy made contact with this victim, she was first observed laying on the floor near the doorway. As the deputy identified himself as the police, the suspect began firing from inside the residence, sticking the Washoe County deputy and another sparks police officer. Officers returned fire and dragged the victim from the house to safety. While the suspect continued to fire from inside the residence, officers from both the Sparks Police Department and Reno Police Department discharged their firearms toward the suspect. A female called 911 at approximately 1415 hours, stating she was hiding in her bathroom, after the suspect had broken into her home. Crisis negotiators and SWAT teams from the Sparks Police Department, Reno Police Department and Washoe County Sheriff’s Office responded and began to attempt to resolve the situation without furtherer incident. For approximately 5 hours, the crisis negotiators and SWAT teams used tactics to encourage the suspect to surrender peacefully. However the suspect did not respond. At approximately 1930 hours, Sparks Police SWAT Operators entered the garage of the residence. The suspect who had been hiding began firing at the officers, striking one of the officers service weapons. At that time, SWAT operators discharged their firearms toward the suspect as they retreated from the garage. This was the suspect’s third ambush attack on the officers, each ambush resulting in the officers being struck by his gunfire. Due to these ambush attacks on the officers and the suspect’s unwillingness to communicate or surrender. He continued to pose an imminent threat to the officer for approximately the next two and half hours. During this time, officers continued to utilizes communication from crisis negotiators and used SWAT tactics to attempt to resolve the incident. The suspect did not respond to this further attempts. Believing the suspect may have been injured during the incident, the Sparks SWAT team escorted the TEMS medics to the garage where the suspect was last seen. The suspect was located and ultimately pronounced deceased on scene. The officers who sustained injuries during this incident were transported to a local hospital, and treated for their injuries and released.

On March 10, 2024, at approximately 1310 hours, deputies from the Kern County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 200 block of East Beardsley Ave. for a report of domestic violence. The wife of the suspect called 911 to report a domestic abuse. The caller stated that the suspect had a gun and an ax before she fled to a residence across the street. Upon arrival, deputies located the suspect in the front yard of his residence in possession of a rifle an an ax. Deputies made numerous announcements over the public address system for over 20 minutes instructing the suspect to drop the weapon. The Mobile Evaluation Team was dispatched to the scene but did not arrive prior to the officer involved shooting. A callout for the SWAT team, which includes Crisis Negotiation Team, was initiated; however, the officer involved shooting occurred during the callout. The suspect was transported to an area hospital for medical treatment. He was arrested for Domestic Battery, Felony Resisting and Brandishing a Firearm.

On March 9, 2024, around 1:00 p.m., Mission Division officers responded to a radio call of a violent male with mental illness at an apartment in the 14000 block of Foothill Boulevard. The suspect of the radio call, later identified as Carlos Zepeda Jr., had forced entry into a family member’s apartment and struck a family member with a wooden stick. The family fled the apartment and called 9-1-1. When officers arrived, Zepeda threatened to stab officers while brandishing kitchen shears. The officers established a perimeter and contacted Metropolitan Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Unit. SWAT responded and spent several hours negotiating with Zepeda to resolve the incident without force. A SWAT Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT) that includes a psychologist and a Systemwide Mental Health Assessment Team (SMART) were also involved and attempted to resolve the incident without force. Ultimately, SWAT deployed a chemical agent in the apartment, and Zepeda exited. Zepeda was armed with a large kitchen knife with a 9 ½” blade. Despite multiple commands to drop the knife, Zepeda rapidly descended a courtyard staircase toward the officers. Less-lethal projectiles and electronic control devices were used, however Zepeda continued running toward officers, resulting in an Officer-Involved Shooting. Zepeda was struck by gunfire and fell to the ground. Los Angeles Fire Department personnel who were at the scene transported Zepeda to a local hospital, where he was admitted for treatment for his gunshot wounds and is listed in critical condition. Zepeda’s family member was not seriously injured and declined medical treatment. No officers or other community members were injured due to this incident. The knife Zepeda was armed with was recovered at the scene.

On March 11, 2024, at approximately 2009 hours, Houston PD officers were assisting a multi-jurisdictional task force surveilling a black SUV. The vehicle was suspected of being used in multiple armed robberies across multiple counties. Officers’ observed the driver of that vehicle, Roosevelt Jamie Overton, Jr. (suspect) commit an aggravated robbery at a liquor store. As the suspect attempted to leave the scene in the black SUV, officers used their vehicles to block his, preventing him from driving away. The suspect exited the SUV and officers gave him commands to show his hands. The suspect fled on foot with a gun in his hand. Officers pursued him, he did not comply. The suspect ran into a bayou tributary still refusing to drop his gun. Officers from multiple agencies discharged their duty weapons, striking the suspect. Officers provided first aid, but the suspect was pronounced deceased at the scene.

On March 21, 2024, the Chicago Police Department (CPD) notified COPA of an officer-involved shooting. Preliminary reports indicate that this incident began when five Chicago Police officers assigned to an 11th District tactical unit engaged in a traffic stop of Dexter Reed, Jr. for purportedly not wearing a seatbelt. Upon stopping Mr. Reed, multiple officers surrounded his vehicle while giving verbal commands. When Mr. Reed did not comply with these commands, officers pointed their firearms at Mr. Reed and ultimately there was an exchange of gunfire which left Mr. Reed dead and an officer shot in the forearm. Review of video footage and initial reports appears to confirm that Mr. Reed fired first, striking the officer and four officers returned fire. Available preliminary evidence also confirms that officers returned fire approximately 96 times over a period of 41 seconds, including after Mr. Reed exited his vehicle and fell to the ground. Mr. Reed was struck by gunfire multiple times and was transported to the hospital and later pronounced deceased. A gun was recovered on the front passenger seat of Mr. Reed’s vehicle.

On Monday, April 1, 2024, at approximately 7:04 p.m., the communications center received a call from a citizen who reported seeing a 15-year-old boy in the area of Newton St. and Tonawanda Ave. with a gun. According to the caller, the male was pointing the gun at houses. At approximately 7:11 p.m. a responding officer located the subject matching the caller's description, walking on Brittain Rd. and Ottawa. The officer stopped his marked police car to investigate. As the officer began to exit his patrol car, he quickly issued a verbal command for the male to show his hands. Seconds later, the officer discharged his firearm one time, striking the male in the hand, after observing the subject with what appeared to be a gun in his hand. Immediately following the shooting, officers secured the crime scene and rendered emergency first aid, which included applying a tourniquet to the male's arm. The subject was later transported to an area hospital and underwent treatment for a non life threatening injury. The officer is a 9-year veteran of the department and is on paid administrative leave.

On March 10, 2024, the Surprise Police Department received a call reporting a domestic verbal at a private residence. The caller was a minor who was also inside the home. Just after 0300 hours, two officers arrived to a residence in the area of West Waddell Road and North Dysart Road and could hear screaming from within the residence. The officers proceeded towards the front door, when an adult female quickly exited stating "he's trying to hit me". One officer entered the residence while the other officer remained outside the residence with the female. As the female exited the residence, the suspect, later identified as 44-year-old Trinidad Ledesma was seen walking from the living room to the kitchen area, out of the camera view. There does not appear to be anything in Ledesma's right hand at this time. The officer entered and called out to Ledesma multiple times. As the officer turned the corner he encountered Ledesma facing him with a black shotgun in his right hand. Ledesma stated "don't come in". As Ledesma stated this, he begins to bring the shotgun up in the officer's Direction. It was at this point the officer fired multiple times, striking Ledesma. Officers attempted life-saving measures, however Ledesma passed away on the scene. A shotgun was removed from Ledesma's possession, as officers attempted life-saving measures. No other persons, including officers, were injured. The officer involved has six years of service.

On November 22, 2023, approximately 1740 hours, Fontana Police officer responded to investigate brandishing firearm report at a local market. The caller indicated as he entered the market the suspect confronted him and displayed a firearm. The caller described the suspect with firearm and the type of vehicle he left in. The responding officer obtained photographs of the suspect and the vehicle. The officer was able to later identify the suspect and his blue Chevy pick up truck. Once the suspect was identified the officer then passed the information along to the other officers. On December 13, 2023, at approximately 1936 hours, an officer located the blue Chevy pick up. The officer noticed the vehicle had a broken taillight and made a traffic stop on that vehicle. The vehicle stopped in a parking lot. The officer contacted the driver and confirmed he was the brandishing suspect. The officer waited for additional units to respond to the location. Once additional officers arrived, the suspect was asked to step out of the vehicle. Officers knew the suspect was a documented gang member, he had an extensive criminal history and was known to carry a firearm. The officer began to pat-down the suspect for any weapons. It was during this pat-down search that the officer felt a handgun concealed in the suspect’s waistband. The suspect immediately broke free and began to flee on foot. Five officers began to chase the suspect. The initial officer who conducted the pat-down search and felt the hand gun yelled at the other officers that the suspect had a firearm in his waistband. The officer gave multiple commands to the suspect. The suspect refused and continued to flee. As officers chased the suspect, they perceived from active threat to their own personal safety and safety of the community and officer involved shooting occurred. Officers located a loaded handgun next to the suspect. Officer Immediately performed life saving efforts. The suspect was transported to an area hospital where he was pronounced deceased.

On Tuesday, January 16, 2024, at approximately 1515 hours, NYPD Officer Timothy Brennan, Officer Acevedo, Officer Lafaille, and Sergeant Groth responded to a residential building in the vicinity of Bergen Street and Saratoga Avenue, Brooklyn, for a 911 call of a person who was assaulted. Upon arrival, the officers were met in front of the location by the 911 caller who identified 39-year-old Melvin Butler as the subject and provided them with additional information. The 911 caller then escorted the officers to an apartment where Butler was located. The officers knocked on the apartment door and Butler allowed entry. They conversed with him for several minutes and informed him that he would be placed under arrest for the assault. As the officers attempted to place Butler into custody, he resisted arrest and a struggle ensued. During the struggle, Butler took possession of Officer Brennan's firearm. As Officer Brennan and Officer Acevedo struggled to regain possession of the firearm, Butler began to discharge shots from it. Officer Brennan and Officer Acevedo were both struck by gunfire. During the struggle, while Butler possessed Officer Brennan's firearm, Officer Acevedo discharged three shots, Officer Lafaille discharged three shots, and Sergeant Groth discharged one shot from their service firearms at Butler. Ballistics evidence recovered from the scene revealed that Butler discharged two shots from Officer Brennan's firearm. Butler was struck by the gunfire and relinquished possession of the firearm. He was taken into custody without further incident. Butler was transported via ambulance to Kings County Medical Center where he was treated for his injuries. Officer Brennan and Officer Acevedo were also transported via ambulance to Kings County Medical Center where they were treated for their injuries. For his actions, Butler was arrested and charged with Attempted Murder in the First Degree (police officer), Assault in the Second Degree, Robbery in the Third Degree, Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, and related charges.

On September 27, 2022, an amber alert out of Fontana was issued for 15-year-old Savannah Graziano. The amber alert was issued out of concern she was taken by her father, 45-year-old Anthony Graziano. Before the amber alert was issued. Graziano killed his Wife outside of a School in Fontana. Graziano also shot at a father and child near the school. The following morning, a 911 caller reported seeing Graziano’s pickup truck and Savannah purchasing items at a gas station. Police soon located Graziano speeding on a nearby freeway, prompting the start of a chaotic chase. When deputies caught up with the vehicle, shots were fired from inside toward police. During the pursuit Graziano attempted to drive up an embankment onto main street, but he lost traction, and the vehicle moved back down the embankment in the direction of I-15. When the pickup truck came to a stop, unarmed Savannah exited from the passenger side as she was wearing tactical gear and a helmet. The video shows she crouches on the ground for about ten seconds, and then walks toward the nearby deputy who was calling her to his position, followed by a boom that appears to be at least one deputy shooting her, though the department blurred out Savannah at this moment. The deputies were not wearing body cameras, but the department shared audio from the belt of the deputy standing closest to the girl. On the video you can hear a deputy calling her over and telling other deputies that the person who exited the truck was the passenger and for them to stop firing, but it was too late. Deputies immediately began medical aid on Savannah and she was transported to the Hospital where she died of her injuries. Anthony Graziano was pronounced dead at the scene. Multiple firearms were located at the scene including hundreds of rounds of ammunition, flash bang and smoke grenades, as well as body-armor and tactical helmets. Four Sheriff's Department vehicles were struck by gunfire in this incident.

On Thursday, February 8, 2024, at 6:02 p.m., deputies from the Norco Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to the area of Hamner Avenue and 6th Street, Norco, regarding a subject armed with a knife. Upon arrival, deputies contacted the subject and gave commands to drop the knife. The suspect failed to follow commands and advanced towards the deputies with the knife, and a deputy-involved shooting occurred. The suspect was struck by gunfire, and deputies rendered medical aid until paramedics arrived. The suspect was ultimately pronounced deceased at the scene. No deputies were injured during this incident. The identity of the suspect is being withheld pending next of kin notification.

Albuquerque officers reacted quickly and took a suspect into custody after shooting on March 31, 2024 An 18-year-old man is accused of shooting into a Downtown Albuquerque crowd early Sunday morning, injuring two people.

On February 23, 2024, at 6:32 a.m., Palmdale Station deputies responded to a gas station in the 13000 block of Pearblossom Highway, Unincorporated Pearblossom, regarding a call of an assault with a deadly weapon. The caller stated a male was armed with a sharp object, threatening to stab the victim if she didn’t call the police. The male was later identified as 30-year-old Joseph Westley Henson from the Pearblossom area. Deputies located Henson walking eastbound away from the business with a sharp object in his hand. They gave Henson multiple commands to show his hands and drop the weapon, but he refused to comply. The deputies followed Henson in their vehicle as he walked eastbound toward another business. Deputies continued to speak to Henson giving additional verbal commands to gain his compliance. Henson stated repeatedly, “You’re going to have to shoot me.” At one point during the encounter, Henson advanced toward the deputies while concealing his right hand inside the front left chest area of his jacket, simulating a weapon, at which time a deputy-involved shooting occurred. After the deputy-involved shooting, Henson ran away from the deputies. The deputies engaged in a short foot pursuit of Henson to the front entrance of the business, where he fell to the ground. Henson sustained several gunshot wounds. Deputies rendered first aid until the arrival of Los Angeles County Fire Department paramedics. Henson was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.

On March 24, 2024, shortly after 2200 hours, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department responded to hotel located at 4855 S. Palo Verde Rd. For a report of a suspicious person. The 911 caller, an employee of the hotel, reported that an adult male was yelling outside of the hotel room and waving a sword. Deputies arrived at the scene and found the male standing outside a hotel room, holding a sword. As they approached in their vehicles, the male sheathed the sword but continued to hold it when deputies approached on foot. Deputies established communication with the male, who made incoherent statements as deputies began to ask him questions. During this time, the suddenly removed the sword from the sheath and took an aggressive stance. Deputies quickly stepped back and gave commands for him to drop the sword. The male did not comply and began charging at deputies with the sword raised, prompting one deputy to discharge his department issued handgun, striking the male. Deputies immediately began rendering aid by until Fire Department personnel arrived to continue life saving efforts. Despite these efforts, the male was pronounced deceased at the scene.

On March 6, 2024, at 3:01 AM, Fullerton Police Officers responded to the McDonalds, located at 1341 S. Brookhurst Rd. regarding two males that were standing at the entrance, possibly under the influence of drugs. The reporting party, who was the manager of the business, was concerned for the employees' safety as they began to arrive for work. Officers arrived on scene and contacted one male adult, with no shirt who was uncooperative with officers’ commands. The male began swinging a belt at officers as they attempted to contact him. Additional officers were requested and once they arrived, they utilized a taser to attempt to subdue the suspect, which was ineffective. The suspect continued to act erratically and was uncooperative as he refused to comply with officers’ commands. Officers then utilized a less lethal kinetic energy projectile, commonly referred to as a bean bag round, and struck the suspect, allowing officers to take him into custody. At this time in the investigation, it is believed the suspect sustained a significant injury to the chest area as a result of the use of the less lethal kinetic energy projectile. Officers began life-saving measures while paramedics responded. The suspect was transported to a local trauma center where he was later pronounced deceased.