By Joe Szydlowski
Redding Record Searchlight
SHASTA COUNTY, California — It’s been nearly a month since Shasta County Sheriff’s deputies killed a 55-year-old Happy Valley man, and officials say the investigation is still ongoing.
The Redding Police Department took over the investigation because it involved another law enforcement agency. Redding police say they are still awaiting evidence.
Four Shasta County sheriff’s deputies, who haven’t been identified, fired on Tim Kyle Torngren, 55, of Happy Valley, who allegedly was armed during a confrontation Sept. 23 outside his Odessa Way home.
Torngren died from his multiple gunshot wounds, according to the Shasta County Coroner’s Office.
Redding police investigators are still awaiting the transcriptions of the involved deputies’ statements, police Sgt. Jon Poletski said Wednesday.
Most of the other evidence has been received, he said. He said he couldn’t say when the transcripts will arrive.
He referred questions on the deputies’ identities to the sheriff’s Major Crimes Unit. A call to the unit was not returned Wednesday. Poletski declined to elaborate on what transpired because he hasn’t reviewed the deputies’ statements.
The deputies were called out to check on Torngren after his daughter reported she had received suicidal statements from her father.
When they arrived, deputies allegedly found him armed with a handgun and a rifle, which he was pointing into the air, according to initial reports. Poletski declined to say what weapons Torngren had.
The situation escalated, though it remains unclear whether Torngren exchanged fire with the deputies or if only the law enforcement officers fired.
The deputies weren’t hurt, Poletski said.
After he receives the statements and police review the case, it will be forwarded to the Shasta County District Attorney’s office, Poletski said.
He couldn’t say when that would happen, however.
“It all depends on how quickly we can get all the evidence,” he said.
Usually, once the review of an officer-involved shooting is complete, authorities will call a news conference and release the details of the investigation, he said.
Copyright 2015 the Redding Record Searchlight