Domestic violence suspect charged at Santa Rosa officers before fatal shooting: police

SANTA ROSA, Calif. (KRON) — A domestic violence suspect armed with a gun charged at officers when he was fatally shot by police Thursday morning, according to new details released by the Santa Rosa Police Department. The 20-year-old man had barricaded himself inside the home of his ex-girlfriend’s parents for over six hours before the deadly shooting.

Santa Rosa police responded at 10:12 p.m. Wednesday to the 900 block of Keegan Drive on the report of an armed man involved in domestic violence. Arriving officers found that the suspect’s 19-year-old ex-girlfriend, the ex’s two parents, and a 2-month-old child that the victim and the suspect share had evacuated to outside of the home.

Officers were informed that the suspect, a 20-year-old Santa Rosa resident who was not named, had struck a female victim in the head with a firearm. SRPD was unclear whether he struck his ex-girlfriend or his ex’s mother.

The man remained barricaded inside the home and “refused instructions to peacefully surrender,” SRPD wrote. The Santa Rosa PD SWAT and Hostage Negotiations Team arrived and began attempting to talk to the suspect at around midnight, police said.

“The suspect ignored all attempts to communicate with officers,” SRPD wrote.

At 4:55 a.m. Thursday, the man ran out of the home toward officers with a gun in his hand, according to authorities.

“Initial reports indicate that one SRPD SWAT officer fired at least one round at the suspect,” SRPD wrote. “Officers immediately began providing medical aid to the suspect, who has sustained at least one gunshot wound.”

A medic pronounced the 20-year-old man deceased at 4:57 a.m. No officers were injured in the incident.

The Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office and the Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office responded to assume an independent investigation of the fatal police shooting per protocol.

Victims of domestic violence have help available 24/7. People may call the domestic violence hotline at 800-799-7233.