Police Shooting Suspect Was Not a UC Davis Student

UC Davis officials confirmed Wednesday morning that a man involved in a fatal police shooting on the main campus Tuesday evening was not a UC Davis student.

Further information about the identity of the man, who had fired shots at UC Davis police before officers returned fire and fatally wounded the suspect, was not available pending an ongoing investigation.

Police did release more information about reports from eyewitnesses about the man's behavior that prompted initial calls to police.

"We had reports from eyewitnesses that the suspect was acting in a bizarre fashion, using irrational language. They also reported that the suspect approached at least one of our students in a threatening manner," said UC Davis Police Capt. Leslie Brown.

Police are asking anyone with information related to the incident to please call the UC Davis Police Crime Tip Hotline at (530) 752-9944.

Three UC Davis police officers responded to a 5:06 p.m. call about a man acting and speaking strangely outside the Student Housing office on the northwest side of the main campus. When the officers approached the man and tried to engage him in conversation, the suspect brandished a handgun and fired at them, causing the officers to return fire. Paramedics responded, but the suspect died at the scene.

The three officers involved, all senior members of the UC Davis police force, have been placed on administrative leave while an investigation is conducted -- a routine action in an officer involved shooting.

"I know from conversations with Police Chief Calvin Handy at the scene last night that these officers have been deeply affected," UC Davis Chancellor Larry N. Vanderhoef said in a morning e-mail communication to the campus community. "Such tragic incidents -- thankfully rare on this campus -- are shocking and cause profound sadness."

Vanderhoef added, "We are doing all we can to provide support to our students, and to assure that the campus is secure and safe."

The shooting occurred in the vicinity of some campus residence halls, and all of those housing facilities are operating as usual. Counseling services are being provided to students and others on campus who may need assistance as a result of the events. Information regarding the incident and available services will be available online at http://www.news.ucdavis.edu/police_shooting/.

The Tuesday shooting came as UC Davis students have been taking fall quarter final exams, which conclude on Saturday. No exams have been cancelled as a result of the incident. However, arrangements are being made through the Office of the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Studies for any students who may have difficulty completing their exams.

A three-tiered investigation is ongoing involving the Yolo County District Attorney's Office, the Yolo County Critical Incident Response Team and the Internal Affairs unit of the UC Davis Police Department. The state Department of Justice is assisting the local law enforcement agencies in reconstructing the scene. Units from the City of Davis Police Department and the Yolo County Sheriff's Department also responded to the incident.

UC Davis has a full-service police force with more than 50 sworn officers, a detective unit, canine unit and other special operations that provide security to the main UC Davis campus as will as the UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento.

Due to the fact that UC Davis officers were involved in the shooting, Yolo County will lead the incident investigation. Further details related to the incident and investigation will be released through the Yolo County law enforcement officials.

Police said the Tuesday incident is the only officer-involved shooting death that has occurred on the UC Davis campus.

In January 1985, physics lecturer Fred Morris was bludgeoned to death in a campus men's room. Four days later, staff physician Michael Corbett was killed the same way in a men's room at the UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento, and a medical student was beaten but survived. A suspect was convicted of murder in those deaths.

In September 1977, a man shot a married couple living in campus student housing at Orchard Park. The husband died.

Media Resources

Paul Pfotenhauer, General news (emphasis: emergency services), (530) 752-6397, pepfotenhauer@ucdavis.edu

Lisa Lapin, UC Davis News Service, (530) 752-9842, lalapin@ucdavis.edu

Sylvia Wright, (530) 752-7704, swright@ucdavis.edu

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