Suspect Slain Saturday in Danville Police Shooting Identified
DANVILLE (CBS SF) -- The man who died in an officer-involved shooting in Danville Saturday morning has been identified as a 33-year-old Newark man, the Contra Costa Sheriff's Office said this afternoon.
Laudemer Arboleda died after Contra Costa Sheriff's Deputy Andrew Hall fired his weapon several times at Arboleda as Arboleda drove toward Hall, according to Jimmy Lee, spokesman for the Contra Costa Sheriff's Office. The Town of Danville contracts with the Sheriff's office to provide police services.
At a brief press conference Saturday, Danville police Chief Allan Shields said Hall feared for his life as Arboleda drove toward him, prompting the gunfire.
The incident began about 11 a.m. Saturday, when Danville police were notified of a suspicious person near Cottage Lane and Laurel Drive, next to Interstate Highway 680 near downtown.
The citizen reported seeing a man exit his vehicle, walk toward several homes in that area with bags in his hands, go back to his car and circle the neighborhood.
Officers soon found the man, identified as Arboleda, who ignored officers' commands to stop. Arboleda fled in his car, leading officers on a short pursuit, pulling over twice during that time in what officers thought may be Arboleda's surrender.
Instead, Arboleda drove a few blocks further to the intersection of Front Street and Diablo Road, turned and accelerated toward Officer Hall, Lee said.
Hall fired several shots at Arboleda, who was struck at least once. Arboleda was taken to the San Ramon Regional Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead.
Hall has been placed on paid leave, Lee said.
The investigation into the shooting continues. Per the county's protocol regarding officer-involved shootings, this incident is being jointly investigated by the Danville Police Department, the Sheriff's Office and the Contra Costa County District Attorney's office.
Findings of the investigation will ultimately be presented at a Coroner's inquest, a public hearing at which a jury determines the manner of death.
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