Young Man Killed by Fresno Police During Standoff

FRESNO – A man is dead after police opened fire on him during a standoff in northeast Fresno on Wednesday morning.

5600 Millbrook Avenue

The incident happened around 8:30 a.m. in front of the man’s home near the intersection of Millbrook and Browning avenues, only a few blocks from Fresno State University.

Fresno officers were at the area in response to three calls about shots fired. One of those calls came from one of the suspect’s three roommates, who said that the suspect was outside the home shooting rounds from a shotgun. Another call came from a neighbor who could see the suspect outside with a gun.

Police officers arriving on the scene found the man armed with a pistol-grip shotgun.

“There were six officers that set up a perimeter to contain the individual and establish communication,” Dyer said. “They also called for a crisis negotiator to respond to the scene.”

About 10 minutes into the conversation between the suspect and the officers, just as the negotiator was approaching the scene, the suspect lifted his gun and pointed it toward the officers, Dyer said.

“Officers at that time felt they were about to be shot and the six officers did fire at the individual who was armed,” Dyer said. “There were minimal rounds fired from the officers. The individual fell in the front yard and he is deceased.”

Police have yet to confirm the identity of the suspect, but they say he appeared to be in his early 20s and lived at the residence he was standing in front of.

“We had a call about three weeks ago for a domestic disturbance that happened at this location involving the suspect,” Dyer said. “We do not know what led up to him being outside with the shotgun other than a couple of his roommates said he had been somewhat depressed as of late and, in fact, had not been acting normal.”

No officers were hurt during the incident.

“It’s a difficult situation for an officer because they’re called in to contain the area and protect the neighborhood, and at the same time having to risk their lives in order to do that,” Dyer said. “There was very limited cover the officers were provided in this neighborhood. What they tried to do was get a peaceful resolution.”

Dyer said that the last thing an officer wants to do is kill an individual.

“Our condolences go out to the family,” Dyer said.

This is Fresno’s eighth officer-involved shooting so far this year. The officers involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave with pay, pending an investigation.

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