Man in Fresno Police custody dies after shooting himself with an officer’s gun, chief says

FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – A 32-year-old man being held in police custody shot himself in the head with an officer’s gun while he was inside a Fresno-area hospital, according to Police Chief Mindy Casto.

Fresno Police say the suspect passed away at Community Regional Medical Center in Fresno on Monday afternoon following his arrest earlier that day.

According to officers, they made contact with the suspect at a police station in northwest Fresno after he turned himself in connection with an organized retail theft investigation and allegations that he was involved with the impersonation of a police officer.

Police say the suspect arrived at the police station with a firearm. When officers took him into custody, police say he resisted and was tased four times as he attempted to arm himself with the gun he had brought with him.

After the man was apprehended, he was transported to the hospital. At the hospital, police say he attacked an officer, disarmed him and then shot himself in the head.

The officer involved will be placed on administrative leave pending review.

According to police, the suspect had prior law enforcement experience.

YourCentralValley.com has confirmed that a lockdown was put in place at Community Regional Medical Center, but staff say that lockdowns are routine actions to manage the movement of people within the hospital.

No further information was released.