Man wanted by parole officer, cut off ankle monitor, shot and killed by Fresno police officer

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Crime scene tape and police cruisers blocked off several streets in southeast Fresno Wednesday morning, putting residents on alert.

"It don't look good," says Alfred Nunez. "If they got it all taped off like that, then it is something major."

It was in this small parking lot near Jackson and Kings Canyon that an officer shot and killed a wanted parolee.

Chief Paco Balderrama says the suspect was a high-risk sex offender and gang member in his 30's, who charged at another officer with something in his hand.

"All they knew is that he had some type of an item, which turned out to be a tool in his hand, but he was lunging at one of the officers when he was shot," Balderrama said.

Police went in search of the suspect after a parole officer requested their assistance. Officers were able to locate him through his ankle monitor.

"The ankle monitor had been cut off and was actually in the middle of the parking lot," Balderrama said.

They found the suspect just a few feet away, and authorities say the rest of the encounter happened in a matter of seconds.

Both officers have now been placed on paid leave as the investigation continues.

"It is traumatizing for them as well," Balderrama said. "This police officer did not expect to come to work and did not have to discharge his weapon to take somebody's life, but if they fall back on their training and they do what they are supposed to do, they are going to be okay in most cases."

Investigators say the two officers did have body cameras on during the time of the shooting.

The video won't be released for some time since it's still being reviewed by investigators.

The suspect's name has not yet been released.