FRESNO, Calif. (KMPH) -
The Fresno County Sheriff's Office has released the 911 call made by a man just minutes before he was shot and killed by Sanger police officers on June 15.
In the call, a man -- who investigators have identified as 46-year-old Charles Salinas -- is heard telling a 911 dispatcher that he is armed with a gun and suicidal.
After talking with the dispatcher for more than eight minutes, the caller hangs up.
Sanger Police say they found Salinas hiding in some bushes near Academy and 11th and ordered him to come out, but he refused. Officers say Salinas lunged out of the bushes, and they felt threatened enough to shoot him.
The sheriff's office says Salinas was not armed.
Click here to listen to the 911 call.
Conversations from the 911 call show Charles Salina telling the operator, "When they get here tell them to shoot."
Operator says, "No can you put your weapons down? Hide it somewhere, put your weapon down?"
Salinas says, "I'm not going to do that, I'm a Marine."
During that call Salinas told the operator he was armed and should be considered dangerous.
Salinas also said he wanted to commit suicide, but would not hurt anyone else.
Minutes later officers found Salinas in the bushes and ordered him to the ground.
Deputies say he wouldn't do it.
Not knowing if he was armed, deputies say Salinas lunged forward and they fired, killing him instantly.
Family members say the 46 year old was currently living in the city of Clovis with his sister. But he was in and out of the Veterans Hospital in Fresno dealing with alcoholism and depression.
His sister says just prior to the shooting Salinas was working with a suicide prevention counselor at the hospital.
Esperanda Booke says, "He was trying to get help. He wanted a better future, he wanted a better life."
Booke says her brother, Charlie was happiest when he was serving his country.
She says he loved his time in the U.S. Marines, his family and meeting new people.
Booke says, "I just want people to know that there was a lot more to him than the person who made the 911 call, who was killed by the police. There was a lot more to that person, he was a kind loving brother, and uncle."
Charles' sister says she is relying on her faith and belief that her brother is in a better place, and no longer dealing with the struggles of depression, alcoholism and life.
