FRESNO, Calif. (KMPH) -
Fresno Police are investigating a deadly officer-involved shooting—the eighth shooting, involving that department's officers this year.
Officers got at least three calls about a man with a shotgun, in the area of Millbrook and Browning, around 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, northwest of Fresno State.
Police Chief Jerry Dyer said one of the calls came from the man's roommate. He told police that the man had been depressed and was "not acting normal recently," Dyer says.
Within minutes, six officers showed up and formed a perimeter around the neighborhood.
They made contact with the man, who is in his 20's, and talked with him for about ten minutes while they waited for a negotiator to arrive.
But, before that ever happened, officers say the man pointed the pistol-grip shotgun at them.
All six officers opened fire, killing the man in front of the home. No officers were hurt.
"Our officers tried to bring in a negotiator to calm the situation," Dyer says. "It's a difficult situation for an officer because they are called in to contain the area, protect the neighborhood, and at the same time risk their lives to do that. What they tried to do was get a peaceful solution."
Dyer says officers had been called to the same home about three weeks ago, after receiving reports of a fight.
Detectives are interviewing the three people who shared the home with the man.
All six officers who opened fire are now on administrative leave.
Fresno's independent police auditor was not on scene, but has been told about what took place.
Stay with KMPH News and KMPH.com as we continue to follow this story.
