Porterville police shoot man who pointed gun at officers

PORTERVILLE, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – Officers shot a man at a house party after they say he emerged from the home and pointed at gun them, Porterville police say.

Just before 11 p.m. Friday officers responded to a call in the 1000 block of North Salisbury Street of several gunshots heard in the area.

They arrived to the address in question and found what appeared to be a house party occurring.

Officers knocked on the door and announced their presence as police officers. It was then, they say, that a man turned on the porch light, walked outside, and pointed a gun at one of the officers.  Another officer saw this and fired their weapon at the suspect, identified as 35-year-old Sebastian Martinez of Porterville.

Martinez was struck by the gunfire and was given medical aid until emergency medical personnel arrived to transport him to an area hospital.  He was last listed in critical condition.

Investigators say the suspect was found to have had an additional firearm in his waistband, and both weapons recovered were loaded.

Police say evidence was found at the scene that indicates the shots reportedly heard by neighbors may have come from this particular residence and were believed to be ones that were fired into the air.

Detectives say the suspect was known to law enforcement, having several prior convictions for drug possession, possession of stolen property, and illegal possession of firearms.

Martinez could be arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, child endangerment, and negligent discharge of a firearm stemming from the calls for service.

No officers were injured in this incident, and the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office has taken over the investigation. Both officers involved in this shooting were placed on paid administrative leave while the investigation unfolds.

Anyone with information on this call is asked to call the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office at (559) 733-6218.