A San Jose police officer was shot and critically injured Tuesday afternoon during a gun battle with an armed robbery suspect who had forced his way into a family's home. The suspect was killed in the exchange of gunfire.
The incident began around 12:30 p.m. when officers spotted a suspect wanted in connection with two armed robberies driving an SUV. Police attempted to stop the vehicle, but the suspect allegedly produced a gun, fled on foot, and entered a nearby residence.
Officers pursued the suspect into the home to ensure the safety of the occupants. "When they entered, they located the suspect hiding in the residence," said San Jose Police Department Public Information Representative Stacie Shih. "Our officers located the suspect, at which point the suspect shot at two officers, striking one officer at least once."
Police returned fire, striking the suspect, who died at the scene. The wounded officer was transported to Valley Medical Center in critical condition but was later reported to be stable and in good spirits.
Surveillance footage showed the suspect forcing his way into the family's back door approximately five minutes before the shootout. The homeowners, Brett and Angela Bymaster, were not present at the time, but their son-in-law and grandchildren were inside. The family members were safely evacuated by officers.
"So, they got him out safely. And just as he left, the man was killed with an assault rifle," Brett Bymaster told ABC 7.
Angela Bymaster recounted that the family had been in another part of the home when the suspect entered. She stated that a baby began crying, prompting the family to move to check on the child, inadvertently taking them away from the area where the suspect gained entry.
"God protected them and saved them. And, you know, just seconds before the man came in, the baby cried, and they all went to look for the baby and see what he needed. And that just pulled them out of where danger was," she told the outlet.
A significant police response followed the shooting, with officers from the San Jose Police Department and Santa Clara County Sheriff's Deputies visible in the area with firearms drawn.
Authorities have not yet released the identity of the deceased suspect as the investigation into the precise sequence of events is ongoing. The Bymaster home is located near Goodyear Street and Lick Avenue.