Suspect Shot By Concord Police Had Toy Gun
CONCORD (BCN) -- A robbery suspect who was shot and injured by Concord police officers early Thursday morning allegedly pointed what turned out to be a realistic-looking toy gun at them, Concord police Lt. Jim Lardieri said.
The incident began around 2:30 a.m. when an officer spotted the suspect, 25-year-old Bryan Brownwhite, near Clayton Road and Ashbury Drive.
Brownwhite, who may have addresses in Concord and Berkeley, had outstanding arrest warrants for armed robberies in Fremont and San Jose totaling $900,000. He was also a suspect in nine other robberies in the East Bay and South Bay, Lardieri said.
When the officer tried to stop him Thursday morning, he allegedly refused to comply and the officer pointed his Taser at him.
At that point, Brownwhite allegedly lifted his shirt to show what looked like a handgun tucked into the waistband of his pants, and put his hand on the gun, Lardieri said.
When the officer attempted to pull his own weapon, Brownwhite fled down Ashbury Drive.
The officer and two other officers chased him. When the two other officers caught up to him, Brownwhite allegedly pointed the fake gun at them.
Believing it was a real gun, the officers shot him multiple times, Lardieri said. He was taken to John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek, where he was listed in critical but stable condition Thursday afternoon.
Police recovered the gun at the scene and discovered that it was fake.
As is standard protocol with officer-involved shootings, the two officers who shot Brownwhite have been placed on paid administrative leave while Concord police, the Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office and the Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office investigate the case.
In addition to the robbery charges, Brownwhite will also now face charges of brandishing a replica firearm at police officers.
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