Teen Armed With Toy Gun Wounded In Santa Rosa Officer-Involved Shooting
SANTA ROSA (CBS SF) -- A 15-year-old who allegedly pointed a replica handgun at a Santa Rosa police officer suffered a non-life threatening wound late Monday night when police opened fire on him, authorities said.
Santa Rosa police said the incident began around 11:36 p.m. when they received a 911 call reporting an armed man at Coffey Park in Northwest Santa Rosa.
The caller told police the gunman was wearing a black sweatshirt and dark jeans, was holding a gun and standing by himself under a streetlight on Coffey Lane next to the park.
Two Santa Rosa Police officers responded to the call in separate vehicles and approached the suspect from different directions.
The first officer, who noticed the suspect holding a handgun, attempted to communicate him and actually got the teen to get down on the ground. But the teen then arose and pointed the gun at the officer. Several rounds were fired at the suspect who suffered a wound to the left foot.
He was taken to the hospital for treatment where officers were informed that the teen was suicidal.
The suspect was found to be in possession of a suicide note and he has openly talked with investigators about his desire to have law enforcement officers shoot him in response to pointing a gun at them.
Investigators have learned the suspect was the 911 caller initiating the law enforcement response to the park. The handgun possessed by the suspect was later determined to be replica firearm.
The suspect's father has been notified of the incident and was assisting in the investigation. Because of the nature of his injury, and the need for a psychiatric evaluation, the suspect was expected to remain hospitalized for several days.