Chief Jerry Dyer, Fresno Police Dept.: "We've had incidents where officers on campuses have had conflicts with students, or have been assaulted by students. But never to this degree."
Fresno Police Chief Jerry Dyer says Officer Junus Perry had no choice but to fire his gun after being attacked by a student Wednesday afternoon.
Chief Jerry Dyer: "It's unfortunate that we have a 17 year old student that's deceased. But it's important to remember that we had an officer who was physically attacked by this student from behind with a baseball bat."
Authorities say violence against officers is also what led to each of Fresno County's four other police-involved shootings this year.
In February, officers shot and wounded David Stump after they say he tried to ram them with a stolen car.
Earlier that month police shot Michael Fang when they say they came under fire while investigating a drive by shooting.
And in January, a DMV investigator shot Gilbert Jimenez after authorities say he tried to stab a highway patrol officer.
That incident happened just three days after police shot and killed Sylvestor Taylor, who they say was armed after robbing a liquor store.
Chief Dyer has said more officers have been involved in shootings this year because more criminals are now armed and willing to kill. But there's no word yet on what may have motivated this student to attack Officer Perry.
