On Friday, Martinez Police Chief Andrew White identified four officers who were involved in a shooting that killed a burglary suspect on August 18.
On August 18, around 3:27 a.m., the Martinez Police Department received a report of a video alarm at Velvet, a cannabis dispensary, located at 4808 Sunrise Drive. While enroute, officers were advised of multiple subjects at the business along with two vehicles.
Officers arrived on scene around 3:32 a.m. and one of the vehicles, described as a white SUV, fled the scene. Officers broadcast that shots were fired and there was an assault on an officer. The second vehicle attempted to flee and then crashed into a fire hydrant. The two occupants of the vehicle were transported to the hospital–one wounded, one later pronounced deceased.
On Friday, White identified the officers involved in this shooting as:
- Officer Cole Bennett
- Officer Marc Kahue
- Officer Raul Ceja-Mendez
- Officer Alexander Tirona
All officers were assigned to patrol at the time of the incident.
The Department of Justice, pursuant to Assembly Bill 1506, is conducting an independent investigation into the use of force by each officer in this incident. I unequivocally support their investigation and the police department is fully cooperating. I am confident they will find the answers to many of the questions that have been raised and provide us all with an understanding as to what happened.
At the conclusion of their investigation, DOJ will provide a public report containing their determinations regarding the lawfulness of the use of force as well as their findings and recommendations regarding the policies and practices of the Martinez Police Department.
The Martinez Police Department initiated a separate administrative investigation into this incident. The purpose of this investigation is to determine whether the use of force by each officer complied with department policies and procedures. An outside firm is conducting this investigation.
These investigations will both take time, but it is critical they are able to accomplish their respective tasks carefully, comprehensively and independently, based on facts and the evidence.
The officers involved were wearing body-worn cameras. Generally, the body-worn video is subject to release within 45 days following the incident, with certain exceptions. The department intends to release the videos within the 45 days.
California Department of Justice Investigating Martinez Officer-Involved Shooting Under AB 1506
OAKLAND – California Attorney General Rob Bonta today announced that the California Department of Justice (DOJ), pursuant to Assembly Bill 1506 (AB 1506), is investigating and will independently review an officer-involved shooting (OIS) that occurred in Martinez, California, at approximately 3:32 a.m. The OIS incident involving the Martinez Police Department resulted in the death of one individual, and reportedly occurred after officers responded to a call regarding a commercial burglary.
Following notification by local authorities, DOJ’s California Police Shooting Investigation Team initiated an investigation in accordance with AB 1506 mandates. Upon completion of the investigation, it will be turned over to DOJ’s Special Prosecutions Section within the Criminal Law Division for independent review.
2 comments
Thank you for being transparent chief. But can you please let the City of Antioch know about this 45 day rule. They still have not released body camera footage at Tamisha Torres-Walker house from October 2021. Thank you
I don’t see anything about an Officer Involved Shooting at Walker’s house. The 45 day law only applies to OIS.
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