Video: Calif. Police Officers Take Down Man Charging Man with Knife

By Jordan Parker

Source San Francisco Chronicle

Antioch police officers fatally shot a man who charged at them with a knife last month, newly-released video showed Thursday.

The suspect was identified as Davis Bahrami, 26, police said. Police identified the officers who fired their guns as Officer Merrill and Officer Loroño. Both were placed on paid administrative leave per department policy, police said.

Officers were dispatched to the 3800 block of Osprey Drive at about 7:15 a.m. on June 30 after a man called police and told them that he wanted to kill his family, according to police. "Hi, I'm about to kill someone," Bahrami told 911 dispatchers. The department's Angelo Quinto Crisis Response team could not be dispatched to the scene due to previous safety concerns at the location during prior incidents, according to police.

After officers were unsuccessful in contacting Bahrami's family, officers called him in an attempt to de-escalate the situation and establish contact with his family. However, Bahrami refused to allow officers to speak with his family and made additional threats to kill his neighbor, police said.

At one point, Bahrami told officers, "I need you guys to come because I'm...I'm bleeding," according to audio released by police. Minutes later, he said, "The neighbor is outside. If you don't show up I'm going to go and harm the neighbor."

While on the phone with Bahrami, officers positioned themselves on the corner of the street to create distance and told him to come talk to them, police said. Once Bahrami was in the officers' sight, they ordered him to stop and get on the ground, after which he removed a large knife from his waistband and charged directly at them, according to police and video.

Officers deployed less-lethal ammo, but Bahrami kept advancing towards them with the knife and officers fired their guns, striking Bahrami, police said. Despite aid from officers and paramedics, Bahrami was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

Officers contacted the family inside Bahrami's residence and neighbors, all of which were unharmed, police said. No officers were injured during the incident.

The shooting is being investigated by the Antioch Police Investigations Bureau and Contra Costa District Attorney's Office.

Anyone who witnessed or has information regarding the shooting is encouraged to contact police at 925-779-6866.

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