The Solano County Sheriff’s Office has released bodycam and in-car camera footage of a fatal June 19 officer-involved shooting in Vallejo.
San Jose resident Jason Thompson, 29, reportedly charged officers with saw blades and died at a local hospital.
“Understandably, our community has questions about the incident. In order to preserve the integrity of the investigation, at the request of the Solano County Major Crimes Task Force the videos were withheld until now,” Sheriff’s officials wrote in a press statement. “We have blurred specific areas for privacy considerations. Viewer discretion is advised.”
Officials released a timeline of the June 19 event:
Around 4:30 p.m., Vallejo police received a report of a traffic collision and possible hit-and-run near Curtola Parkway and Marin Street. Less than an hour later, and one block east from the scene, there was a report of a possible carjacking at the intersection of Curtola Parkway and Sonoma Boulevard. The carjacking victim called police just after 5:30 p.m. and at 6:20 p.m., it was reported that the suspect, later identified as Thompson, had returned, shirtless and carrying a knife.
To view the body and car camera footage, which contains graphic content, visit https://bit.ly/3Q9Hmmo.
About 10 minutes later, a caller reported that three people were chasing the suspect from that intersection.
At 6:45 p.m., a caller reported a man cutting himself with a knife on the corner of Pennsylvania and Sutter streets, about 700 feet away from Curtola Parkway and Sonoma Boulevard.
Around 7 p.m., police requested that deputies respond to the latter incident as their officers were unavailable.
A responding deputy requested the county’s county Mobile Crisis unit respond, but it was not available.
Three deputies located the man holding what appeared to be multiple knives in his hands. As deputies exited their patrol cars, Thompson allegedly threw a knife, which hit a patrol car. Deputies ordered him to drop the remaining knives but he instead aggressively walked toward them, officials said.
One deputy shot Thompson with a Taser, which had no effect on him. The man, still armed, continued his advance. The deputies backed up but Thompson apparently kept coming. A deputy ordered Thompson to stop.
A deputy ultimately fired his service weapon multiple times, striking Thompson., officials said Thompson fell and initially was not moving. Before a deputy could leave to grab a medical kit, Thompson is said to have gotten to his knees holding a knife.
The suspect was ordered to drop it so they could render medical aid, officials said, but he did not. He collapsed, deputies removed the weapon and handcuffed him.
“It was at this time that the deputies realized that the knives were long saw blades used for a type of reciprocating saw,” officials acknowledged.
Vallejo police arrived and began first aid measures until medics could get there. Thompson was transported by ambulance to a hospital, where he died.
The Solano County Major Crimes Task Force responded as per protocol and began an investigation into the officer-involved shooting.
“Any loss of life is tragic,” officials emphasized. “Our condolences go out to the family, friends and all affected by this shooting.”
Source: www.mercurynews.com