Fresno police shoot suspect accused of domestic violence, child hostage

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- A Fresno police officer shot and injured a man suspected of beating his wife and taking a child hostage.

Officers got a 911 call from a central Fresno home just after 11 p.m. on Friday. Police say a woman reported her husband assaulted her and even though she got out of the house, her 5-year-old child and mother were still inside.

Chief Jerry Dyer says officers surrounded the apartment and tried negotiating with 46-year-old Jason Giannini for about an hour.

They eventually got his mother-in-law out through one of the windows, but they couldn't negotiate for the child's release.

Chief Dyer says officers noticed the suspect had a gun almost as soon as he stepped outside onto the front porch.

"He then lifted his arm, pointed the firearm at the officers who were positioned at the corner of the residence and at that time an officer fired several rounds at Giannini and struck him twice in the upper torso," Dyer said. "Giannini dropped the handgun on the front porch, ran back inside the residence, officers went inside, were able to secure him, provided medical aid and was then transported to a hospital."

The little boy was unharmed and Giannini is expected to recover. Once he's out, police plan to book him in jail on domestic violence charges, as well as assault with a deadly weapon on an officer.

They don't know if he was under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

The officer involved in the shooting is on paid administrative leave pending the investigation.