Man shot by police following victim strangling in Fresno, officers say

FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – A man in critical condition after an hours-long standoff led to police officers shooting at him Saturday evening, the Fresno Police Department announced.

According to police, shortly before 2 p.m. they responded to a 911 call in the Ashlan Avenue and Blythe Avenue after a woman reported her boyfriend had strangled her.

Officers arrived after the woman escaped the apartment with her baby. Officers say they attempted to make contact with the suspect, who had blocked himself inside the unit. After various attempts to get him to come out, officers breached the door.

Police say the man brandished knives at the officers, forcing them to reposition themselves until the SWAT team could arrive.

Following hours of negotiations, as officers set a perimeter around the location, police say the suspect charged down the stairs armed with two knives toward officers. Police unleashed “less lethal” ammunition before using lethal force, inflicting serious injuries on the suspect.

Officers on scene reported immediately rendering medical aid before the suspect was transported to a local hospital in critical condition.

Police say the suspect in this case was already on parole for domestic violence and will now face additional charges related to strangulation.

The identities of those involved have not been officially released.