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DANVILLE — A man was killed in an officer-involved shooting that occurred downtown on Saturday morning.
Danville police Chief Allan Shields told reporters outside the police station Saturday that it brought him a “great deal of sadness” that a “young man” lost his life.
The shooting occurred at 11:03 a.m. on Diablo Road at Front Street, Contra Costa Sheriff’s spokesman Jimmy Lee said.
Responding to a resident’s report of a “suspicious” person near Cottage Lane and Laurel Drive, Danville police officers gave pursuit when the suspect fled after they arrived, Lee said. Officers got out of their car near the intersection of Diablo Road and Front Street and that’s when the suspect attempted to run over an officer who then shot at the car and the driver.
The suspect was transported to a hospital where he was later pronounced dead, Lee said. Authorities have not identified the suspect.
Police did not answer questions from reporters about what prompted the resident’s initial call.
Shields said that although police try to avoid situations where people are killed, “unfortunately, sometimes we are put in harm’s way and we have to act appropriately.”
The officer sustained a minor injury.
The county officer-involved protocol has been invoked, which means the Contra Costa County District Attorney will conduct an investigation.
The incident is being investigated by the Danville Police Department, Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff, and D.A.’s Office.
Authorities closed Diablo Road in the area of Front Street while the investigation is underway and urged drivers to stay away from the area.
According to town spokesman Geoff Gillette, the last officer-involved shooting in Danville was in August 2001.
