UPDATE
On Sunday, December 22nd, 2019, at 3:20 AM a Redding Police Officer was on patrol in the area of South Market Street and Parkview Avenue when the officer observed a white 2016 Scion passenger vehicle swerving across multiple lanes of traffic. The officer suspected the driver was possibly under the influence and initiated a traffic stop. The vehicle pulled into the parking lot of 2174 Pine Street and stopped.
The officer contacted the driver along with the two other occupants of the vehicle. The driver appeared to be under the influence and was acting suspicious. The vehicle was associated with a male subject who was wanted for felony theft and pending robbery charges from the State of Washington. Based on the circumstances, additional officers were requested to assist with the investigation. Two Redding Police Officers arrived, each of which had a civilian ride along in their patrol car.
Officers re-approached the vehicle and instructed the driver to exit but he refused. The driver rolled up the window, shifted the vehicle into reverse and quickly accelerated, striking the terraced embankment on the north side of the parking lot. The driver then shifted the vehicle into drive and quickly accelerated toward the three marked patrol cars. The driver sideswiped one patrol car, then rapidly accelerated toward a second patrol car where a civilian ride along was seated in the front passenger seat. The suspect vehicle did not make contact with the second patrol vehicle. The suspect then rapidly accelerated forward toward a third patrol vehicle. An officer was also next to the third patrol car and had to move out of the suspect vehicles path. The suspect vehicle then rammed head on with the third patrol car causing the airbags to deploy in the suspect’s vehicle.
During these events, a Redding Police Officer fired his duty weapon striking the driver immediately stopping his violent actions. Officers on scene immediately rendered emergency medical aid and called for additional medical personnel to respond. The driver was transported to the hospital where he was later pronounced deceased.
The Shasta County Multi-Agency Officer Involved Critical Incident Protocol was activated. The Shasta County Sheriff’s Office, Major Crimes Unit took over the investigation with assistance of the Shasta County District Attorney’s Office and Redding Police Departments Investigations Division. One passenger from the suspect vehicle and one civilian ride along was treated for injuries sustained when the driver rammed the patrol car. The identity of the driver is not being released pending notification of the next of kin. The investigation is active and ongoing. No further information will be released at this time.
An autopsy on the driver will be conducted later this week. Anyone with information about this investigation is urged to contact the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office, Major Crimes Unit at 530-245-6135 or mcu@co.shasta.ca.us
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On 12/22/19 at approximately 0320 hours, Officers with the Redding Police Department conducted a traffic stop on Pine Street, just north of Cypress Avenue in Redding. During the course of the traffic stop, circumstances led to one officer discharging his firearm, striking the suspect. The suspect was transported to the hospital and was pronounced deceased. The Multi-Agency Officer Involved Critical Incident Team was notified and responded. The Shasta County Sheriff’s Office has been designated as the lead investigating agency and will release additional information as it becomes available.
