March 23rd, 2021 - Sacramento, California

Published March 23rd, 2021

A Sacramento (CA) police officer is recovering after being shot while investigating a shots fired call.

SPD officers responded to the 5900 block of Tangerine Avenue to investigate a report of shots being fired, police say. While checking the area, an officer then saw a person walking in the street. An officer then shined a light on the person – and as the suspect walked up to the passenger side window, he opened fire. Police say the officer – who was shot in the abdomen – was able to jump out of the patrol car and fire back, hitting the suspect. The suspect, identified as a 32-year-old male, fell to the ground after being shot. He was still holding his gun and wouldn’t let it go, police say.

With the suspect allegedly refusing to follow commands, a Crisis Negotiation and SWAT team were called to the scene. As seen in one of the videos released by the police department on Friday, officers eventually resorted to using a robot to move the loaded gun away from the suspect. Once the gun was safely out of his reach, officers detained the suspect and started medical aid. He was taken to the hospital, but he has since been released and booked into Sacramento County Jail. He is facing several charges, including attempted murder. Detectives also believe the suspect was shooting at another car that was driving through the area just before officers arrived.

Police say the officer who was shot was saved from critical injury by the vest he was wearing. He was treated at a local hospital and released.