Footage Shows California Officer Fatally Shooting Suspect Brandishing Gun in McDonald's
Police released security video showing the moment a man retrieved a firearm and fired a shot before being killed by law enforcement.
Newly released footage from the Lodi Police Department shows the moment a police officer fatally shot a McDonald's employee who was carrying a gun inside the restaurant and appeared to be experiencing a mental health crisis.
On August 24, security camera video from inside the McDonald's captured Jonhatan Anguiano, 29, retrieving a handgun from a bag while speaking with colleagues around 9:30 a.m. According to Chief of Police Ricardo Garcia, an employee directed by Anguiano to call law enforcement reported that the man might be suicidal and had just fired a round into the ceiling.
"We recognize that incidents involving the use of force and deadly force are serious and can deeply impact our community," Garcia said in a video statement. "Our purpose in releasing this video is to provide the public with as much factual information as legally permitted, promote transparency, and help the community understand what occurred based on evidence currently available."
The 911 call audio captured an employee telling dispatchers that Anguiano had directed her to call the police and that he was holding a gun to his head.
Authorities responded to the report of a man with a firearm. Upon entering the restaurant, officers evacuated customers. The released footage shows an employee backing away from Anguiano just before he shot her.
An officer immediately moved toward Anguiano and discharged his weapon, striking the suspect. Anguiano was pronounced dead at the scene. The Lodi Police Department stated that the first officer to encounter Anguiano was a field supervisor with 18 years of experience. "Believing there was an imminent threat to the officers and the victim on the ground who had already been shot, the officer discharged his duty weapon, striking the suspect," the department said.
Officials confirmed the officer who shot Anguiano was Sergeant Elias Ambriz. He was placed on paid administrative leave following the incident and has since returned to duty. The injured employee was taken to a hospital and later released.
The investigation is being handled in accordance with the San Joaquin County Critical Incident Protocol.