By Nicole Nixon
Merced Sun-Star (Merced, Calif.)
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Sacramento police released body cam footage from an officer-involved shooting earlier this month during which a suspect was wounded by gunshots and a police K-9.
The move is in line with department policy to release body camera video and audio within 30 days of an officer-involved shooting.
Just before noon on May 2 , police were dispatched to a domestic violence report. In 911 audio, a caller said the suspect threw a knife at him, attempted to molest him and stole his BB gun. He identified the suspect as Johnny Balcorta and said Balcorta had an outstanding warrant.
Officers confirmed there was a felony warrant for the 37-year-old Balcorta.
Police located Balcorta near the 400 block of Jiboom Street around noon and pursued on foot after the suspect fled holding what appeared to be a firearm. They lost sight of Balcorta after he fled into trees near the waterline near Robert T. Matsui Waterfront Park.
Officers requested help from nearby first responding agencies and spent nearly an hour calling on Balcorta to surrender via loudspeakers.
They eventually saw Balcorta, who began to flee again, and released a police K-9 to apprehend him. Two pursuing officers fired handguns and struck the suspect, who was treated by a paramedic on the scene and taken to a hospital.
The Sacramento Police Department released a 13-minute narrated video of the incident, which includes the 911 dispatch audio and footage from several officers’ body-worn cameras, as well as footage from a California Highway Patrol helicopter.
Officers noticed Balcorta holding what appeared to be a firearm as he fled after initial contact. In the video, one officer said the suspect held the gun to his head as he ran.
Later, body-cam footage shows Balcorta running from police, including a K-9 officer, who commanded him to stop. The video shows the dog chasing the suspect and biting him.
Footage from a CHP helicopter shows the suspect striking the police dog with his weapon. Two officers, including the K-9 officer, fired multiple shots and struck the suspect, who fell to the ground before he was arrested. The video shows a weapon on the ground next to Balcorta after he was shot.
Balcorta was struck in the arm and was given emergency aid on the scene before being taken to a hospital.
Police said they recovered two weapons at the scene, which were later determined to be imitation firearms.
Jail records show Balcorta was booked into the Sacramento main jail on May 12 on a felony drug possession charge, as well as a felony charge of resisting officers and misdemeanor charges for resisting or obstructing police and interfering with a police animal. He is being held without bail.
He is scheduled to appear in court in July.
Sacramento police shot and injured another man in the nearby River District on May 13 for brandishing an imitation firearm. That case is also being investigated and the department said it would release associated body camera footage.
The incident is being investigated by the Sacramento Police Department’s Homicide Unit, Internal Affairs Division, and Professional Standards Unit, the agency said in a press release. The department’s Force Investigation Team will also conduct an investigation focused on use-of-force policy, tactics and training.
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