Crime & Safety
Man Shot By Petaluma Police Dies
Petaluma police initially responded to a domestic dispute. Sheriff's investigators have determined officers fired 16 shots at the suspect.
PETALUMA, CA — UPDATED: A man who was shot by Petaluma police after a nearly two-hour-long standoff Tuesday has died from his injuries, Sonoma County sheriff's officials said. The shooting victim, identified Thursday as Luis Alberto Garcia-Vara, 24, of San Rafael, had been hospitalized since the officer-involved shooting.
"The Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office was informed last night [Wednesday] that Mr. Garcia-Vega died in the hospital from his injuries shortly after 1o p.m.," the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office said in a statement Thursday afternoon. "His next of kin has been notified."
ORIGINAL STORY: The suspect was shot after he pointed a gun at them not long after pointing it at himself during the standoff that stemmed from a domestic dispute, according to the sheriff's office which has been designated as the lead agency in the officer-involved shooting investigation under the county's protocol for such incidents.
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Sheriff's officials said Petaluma officers fired 16 shots at the suspect, with at least one striking the suspect in the abdomen. Petaluma police detectives interviewed a witness who said they saw the suspect raise the gun toward officers.
The suspect's name has not been released.
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All five officers involved in the shooting had their body cameras on when the shooting occurred.
The call started when officers reported to a domestic dispute at an apartment complex in the 100 block of Lakeville Circle around noon Tuesday, police said.
According to police, someone told them that the suspect was making suicidal threats and may have a gun. Several officers responded and tried to negotiate with the suspect. Others officers evacuated residents from nearby apartments.
Police said the suspect threatened to shoot himself in the head after they arrived. Officers continued to negotiate with the man, but around 1:50 p.m., the suspect checked the gun, appeared to reload it and pointed it at the officers.
Police said officers then fired at the suspect and injured him. No officers were injured.
Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call the sheriff's office at 707-565-2185.
By Bay City News Service
Photo via Shutterstock.com
