Group Seeks Through Investigation In Vallejo Police Shooting
VALLEJO (BCN) -- About 30 people gathered at the Solano County Courthouse in Vallejo Friday afternoon to call for a thorough investigation into the fatal shooting of a man by a Vallejo police officer in December.
The crowd asked the Solano County District Attorney's Office to thoroughly review all the evidence, including video taken near Kentucky Street and Sonoma Boulevard, where 34-year-old Guy Jarreau Jr. was shot on Dec. 11. He was pronounced dead at the John Muir Medical Center.
Vallejo police said Jarreau was reaching for a handgun when he was shot by a police officer, who has not been identified.
Verrose Hill, a spokeswoman for those who rallied Friday, said Vallejo police have withheld videotape evidence. She said eyewitness testimony indicates Jarreau kept the handgun in his belt and had only a green plastic cup in his hand.
Vallejo police posted on the department website video that they said was taken before the shooting that shows Jarreau "brandishing" a revolver. They said they retrieved the video from a camera used by someone who was filming Jarreau and others who had gathered outside a tattoo shop at 2118 Sonoma Blvd. before the shooting.
Jarreau's friends and family members said Jarreau and the others were filming an anti-violence music video in the area.
Police went to the scene after the tattoo shop owner called them to report that a large group of young African American males was outside his shop and one of them was flashing a gun.
Police said Jarreau ran down an alley when officers arrived. As the officer who pursued Jarreau turned the corner, Jarreau was facing him and was trying to draw a gun from his pocket, police said. The officer fired in self-defense, according to police.
Hill said about a dozen people spoke at the 90-minute rally Friday afternoon. She said Jarreau's supporters sent emails and letters to the district attorney's office, but they have not received a response.
Solano County District Attorney Don du Bain said Friday afternoon his office received the Vallejo Police Department's report about the incident Thursday.
"We intend to complete a thorough investigation, and I will be involved in the investigation," du Bain said.
He could not estimate how long the investigation would take.
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