San Leandro police shoot at suspect they say wielded rifle

"SAN LEANDRO A San Leandro police officer fired a shot at a person Monday morning in what police said was a pursuit that ended in an arrest. In a statement, San Leandro police said the suspect they were pursuing was not injured, nor were any officers. They arrested him after the gunfire and said he wielded a rifle. A 4-year veteran of the department fired the gun, police said. They did not identify the officer or release any body-worn video."

"Departments rarely, if ever, identify officers who shoot or release video of police shootings within the first 24-to-48 hours of the incident. While SLPD remains committed to transparency, the release of information related to the (police shooting) will be limited at this time to ensure the integrity of the investigation, San Leandro police wrote in their statement. The sharing of additional details will be determined by the progress of the investigation and be in compliance with the law."

"Police said the shooting came about 12:30 a.m., minutes after an officer tried to pull over a black Mercedes sedan. According to police, the Mercedes immediately took off when officers tried to pull it over. The Mercedes subsequently hit a curb at the southwest corner of Davis and Alvarado Streets, and the two people in the car ran from it, police said. Police said that only the driver was considered a suspect, and that he was observed running south on Alvarado Street with a rifle."

An officer fired at a person during a vehicle pursuit in San Leandro around 12:30 a.m. after an attempted traffic stop of a black Mercedes. The Mercedes fled, struck a curb at Davis and Alvarado Streets, and two occupants ran. Only the driver was treated as a suspect and was observed running south on Alvarado Street while wielding a rifle; officers later located him on nearby railroad tracks. Officers ordered the man to drop the rifle; when he did not comply, a 4-year department veteran fired a shot. The suspect did not return fire, no injuries occurred, and police seized the rifle. Internal and criminal investigations were opened and information release will be limited pending investigation progress and legal compliance.

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