Late Christmas Eve, Brentwood police pulled over a man for suspicion of driving under the influence at the intersection of Balfour Road and Foothill Drive. That escalated into a confrontation, which ended with an officer fatally shooting the driver.
Brentwood police did not return a request for an interview, but in a statement to ABC7 News, they say while speaking to the driver, “the officers developed probable cause to search the vehicle.”
The statement goes on to say: “During the search, officers located a loaded, high-powered rifle inside the vehicle. When officers attempted to arrest the driver, he physically resisted arrest, refused to follow verbal commands, and ultimately grabbed the high-powered rifle.”
According to police, that’s when an officer fired their weapon at driver, who was only described as a man in his 40s. Officers administered first-aid, but the driver died on scene.
“For me, it’s always a red flag because I feel like no matter, they are going to give you the story that is going to lead to what happened being justified,” says Frank Sterling, Jr., a long-time community activist, who has been involved in civil rights initiatives in cities in Eastern Contra Costa County.
He says he is skeptical about the Brentwood PD’s explanation of the shooting, especially given the recent case involving Yolanda Ramirez, the 72-year-old woman who died in Brentwood police custody in September.
“If this is a case that they feel is cut-and-dry, in their favor, we will see if they release the body camera footage in a way that shows that this is a justified for them,” says Sterling.
Brentwood Police says it will release the body-worn camera and in-car camera video but did not specify when it will be released.
In a statement to ABC7 News, the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office says it will be conducting its own investigation in the shooting as well.
