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BWC: Man suspected in vehicle assault fires multiple shots at Calif. officers

The man eventually surrendered to San Leandro Police Department officers after throwing his handgun at a cruiser

SAN LEANDRO, Calif. —The San Leandro Police Department released body camera footage of an incident where a man fired multiple shots at officers before being arrested, according to a critical incident release.

The Feb. 16 incident began when officers responded to a report of a vehicle assault, according to the release. The stepfather of the suspect’s children told 911 dispatchers that the suspect became enraged during a custody exchange and intentionally rammed his car into the victim’s vehicle because the drop-off was five minutes late. The children were inside the stepfather’s vehicle at the time of the vehicular assault, the stepfather told 911.

An officer located the suspect’s vehicle at an intersection and initiated a traffic stop, according to the release. The suspect pulled over but refused to roll down his window. Instead, he got out of his car and walked toward the officer, video shows.

The officer repeatedly instructed the man to stop and not to get back into the vehicle, warning him that he would be tased if he continued his approach. The man then pulled out a handgun and retreated to the front of his vehicle, where he took cover, video shows.

The officer fired shots as the man raised the gun and pointed it at him. The man then fired several rounds at the officer and at other officers arriving at the scene. Officers returned fire but did not strike the suspect.

After firing multiple shots, the suspect threw his handgun before walking out from behind his vehicle with his hands raised. The gun struck a responding cruiser.

Officers instructed the man to get on the ground, but he did not comply. They then deployed two bean bag rounds, after which the man followed instructions to get down.

The man was taken into custody without further incident, according to the report. Neither the suspect nor any of the officers was injured during the incident.

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Joanna Putman is an Associate Editor and newswriter at Police1, where she has been covering law enforcement topics since August 2023. Based in Orlando, Florida, she holds a journalism degree from the University of Florida and spent two years working in nonprofit local newsrooms, gaining experience in community-focused reporting. Married to a law enforcement officer, she works hard to highlight the challenges and triumphs of those who serve and protect. Have a news tip? Email her at news@lexipol.com