Man who shot himself with officer’s gun had history of impersonating police, Fresno chief says

FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – Community Regional Medical Center was a crime scene Monday after a man in police custody shot himself in the head with an officer’s gun.

Fresno Police Chief Mindy Casto says that man was first contacted by officers last week for felony retail theft and for impersonating a police officer.

On Monday he met with police outside the Northwest District before fighting with officers.

“He was tazzed four times while he attempted to arm himself; what we later found was a loaded firearm and a bag he was wearing on his person,” said Fresno Police Chief Mindy Casto

After he was arrested, he was taken to CRMC for his injuries.

While the man was using the restroom at the hospital, investigators say he attacked police again and was able to take an officer’s gun.

“Within seconds he was able to shoot himself in the head with the firearm although they were at the hospital and immediate life saving actions were taken the individual was deceased,” Casto continued.

Chief Casto says no one else was hurt in the shooting, and police say the officer involved did everything he could to protect others.

“The officer I will tell you this you could tell he was committed he was not going to let someone else get hurt…. That was one of the most important things to that officer,” said Casto.

The man who died has not been named but has been described as a 32-year-old man who police believe has some type of law enforcement experience.