Police shoot, kill man, 28, at a home in San Jose
Police fatally shot a 28-yearold man in East San Jose late Tuesday night after he charged at officers with a large kitchen knife held above his head, officials said.
It was the third officer-involved shooting for the San Jose Police Department in 2017.
The shooting occurred about 11:35 p.m. at a home on the 1500 block of Mount Frazier Drive after officers were called to a family disturbance by both the shooting victim and his father, said Chief Eddie Garcia of the San Jose Police Department.
When officers arrived at the home, a man, who was not immediately identified, ran out of the garage with two knives, one held above his head, Garcia said. One officer, fearing for his life, opened fire, Garcia said.
“When an individual is charging at an officer with a knife over his head, there’s not much that can be done,” Garcia said. “They literally drove up; it happened in a matter of moments.”
The man was transported to Regional Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead, police said.
No other injuries were reported.
Police had previously responded to the home for disturbances, and Garcia said the man had been investigated for making criminal threats. He also said the dead man had a history of mental-health issues.
The officer who shot the man was not identified. Police officials said he is a 15-year veteran of the force.
He was placed on routine paid administrative leave, standard protocol after an officerinvolved shooting.
“It’s a tragedy for the suspect’s family, but a tragedy for our officers as well,” Garcia said.
The Santa Clara County district attorney’s office and the San Jose Police Department’s Homicide Unit are conducting a joint criminal investigation.
Police shot a naked man on March 17 after he allegedly chased people and led police on a 4-mile pursuit through the city, causing multiple crashes. The man was treated for critical injuries.
On April 21, another man was shot by police. Officials alleged that the man charged at officers with a knife after first waving it at other people and then stabbing himself. The man was identified as San Jose resident Khanh Tran, 28, who was treated for critical injuries.