Police Shoot, Kill Armed Man Pacing Outside Redwood City Bank
REDWOOD CITY (KPIX) -- Police shot and killed a man outside a busy Redwood City bank Saturday afternoon.
It happened downtown just before 2:30 p.m., in the 1900 block of Broadway outside a Wells Fargo.
A woman who was going to the ATM outside the bank called police after she saw the suspect pacing with a gun.
When officers arrived, they tried to talk him down as customers stayed sequestered inside the bank.
In a statement, police said they tried to de-escalate the situation, using "a variety of active crises intervention and de-escalating techniques."
During the negotiations, they spoke to the suspect in English and Spanish for several minutes.
After several minutes, authorities said without warning, the man "took a combative stance" and raised his weapon, firing at least once in the direction of the officers.
"The officers returned fire," said Deputy Chief Gary Kirby. "The suspect was hit and deceased at the scene."
One witness captured the ordeal on cellphone video. Other witnesses said they heard about 10 shots.
People who heard the loud bang said at first they thought it was a firecracker.
"It's Redwood City. Nothing like this ever happens in Redwood City," said one man.
Ignacio Jimenez said he couldn't make out what the man was holding or who shot first, but he watched the man go down
"Immediately after shots started, he fell to the floor," he said.
So far, the identity of the suspect has not been released, but authorities said the man has a criminal history and was known to the officers.
The shooting is being investigated by the San Mateo County District Attorney's Office. Meantime, the officers involved have been placed on paid administrative leave.
