Man shot and killed by officers in Northwest Fresno identified
FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- The man shot and killed by officers in Northwest Fresno has been identified.
The Fresno Police Department has identified him as 33-year-old Max Sosa Jr.
Officers responded to a welfare check just after 3 a.m. Saturday at the Dante Apartment complex at Dante and Cornelia Avenues.
Fresno Police Chief Paco Balderrama says they received a call from a woman who said the man, now identified as Sosa, she was in an estranged relationship with was making suicidal threats.
Police Chief Paco Balderrama news conference:
Police say only the man and woman were at the apartment when the call came in.
When officers arrived, they made contact with Sosa who was in a car and Balderrama says the suspect accelerated towards the officers and started a short pursuit.
"Police officers were able to catch up to the vehicle but then lost the vehicle and then terminated the pursuit altogether," Balderrama said.
After the chase, officers made contact with the Sosa again at the apartment complex.
Sosa then charged at officers and Balderrama says they deployed their taser just seconds before shots were fired.
"Three of the officers discharged their weapons striking the suspect and sadly he was pronounced deceased," said Chief Balderrama.
Balderrama says Sosa was intoxicated, and upset, and made suicidal threats about wanting to end his life.
Police say a mental health clinician was not available during the situation when the suspect came at officers, but say when these things happen its not easy on either parties.
"Difficult for everyone involved, clearly our thoughts do go out to the family of the decedent but also to the officers," Balderrama said.
Two officers have one year of experience and the third has about two and a half years.
All three officers are currently on paid administrative leave and will be provided with mental health resources.
Balderrama added he watched the body camera footage and does not believe the officers used "excessive force" and that it was "justified."
This marks the sixth officer-involved shooting for 2023.
The city of Fresno's Office of Independent Review as well as city attorneys were on scene to review the incident
Stay with ABC30 for the latest details on this developing story.
