Vallejo police terminates officer Ryan McMahon
Was involved in shootings of Ronell Foster, Willie McCoy
The Vallejo Police Department has issued a notice of termination for Ryan McMahon, the officer involved in the fatal shootings of Ronell Foster and Willie McCoy.
Vallejo Police Chief Shawny Williams issued the Notice of Termination on Wednesday after an Internal Affairs investigation concluded, among other things, that “McMahon violated department policies by engaging in unsafe conduct and neglect for basic firearm safety,” a news release stated.
The City of Vallejo released a statement saying it is unable to comment on any additional allegations because of McMahon’s privacy rights under California State law pursuant to the Police Officer Bill of Rights (POBR). Pursuant to SB 1421, a redacted version of the Notice of Discipline will be made available online.
“Any conduct outside the level of professionalism this city deserves will not be tolerated by the Vallejo Police Department,” Williams stated in a news release. “I understand we have a long way to go in rebuilding trust among
the residents of Vallejo and I will continue to take the necessary steps to better serve this community.”
McMahon was recommended to be fired by Williams after an investigation a month ago determined he could have accidentally shot his partner, according to public records released in August. Williams wrote that McMahon’s actions were “dangerous” to his colleagues and out- ofstep with “safety norms” of firearms handling. McMahon violated three department policies — any of which, wrote Williams, would support termination of an officer.
Vallejo activist Askari Sowande, who just had her Black Lives Matter sign in front of City Hall approved by the council, was pleased with the news.
“I’m grateful for this firing,” said Sowande. “Positive things are coming in small increments. Hopefully we can move forward.”
Vallejo Mayor Bob Sampayan called McMahon’s firing “addition by subtraction.”
“I know this was a difficult decision for our chief of police, but I am proud of Chief Williams for taking steps at looking at employees that have caused issues and is taking corrective measures,” Sampayan said. “As harsh as termination is, it’s important to realize when he sees fit, it’s something that get’s done. I applaud his efforts. We hired him to make changes and he is doing just that.”
Sampayan acknowledged that McMahon’s termination leaves an already understaffed force with one less officer.
On body camera footage, McMahon can be seen firing the shot while running toward McCoy’s car, seconds after his colleagues had begun to fire.
McMahon shot and killed Foster in February of 2018 after he tried to stop Foster for not having a light on his bicycle. During a struggle in an alleyway, McMahon shot Foster.
Last month, the City of Vallejo agreed to pay $5.7 million to the family of Foster.
John Burris, one of the civil rights attorneys who sued McMahon and Vallejo on behalf of Foster’s family, said the situation was “essentially created by (McMahon).”
“No amount of money is enough for a life that was taken and the manner in which it was taken. This was a very horrible offense,” Burris said last month, later adding, “McMahon undoubtedly felt there were no ramifications for this kind of aggressiveness and lawlessness.”
McMahon was also involved in the McCoy shooting. In the incident, McMahon shot once, after several other officers had already begun to shoot McCoy after he slumped forward in the driver’s seat of his car. Police had been called to the scene by employees at a Taco Bell on Admiral Callaghan Lane, who said McCoy was asleep in the drivethru with a gun in his lap.
Officers arrived on scene, and parked on all sides of the vehicle, then surrounded it with their guns drawn. When McCoy leaned forward, the officers began to yell commands, opening fire and shooting the windshield and the front passenger window — which was broken and replaced with a plastic sheet — dozens of times.