Man, 43, is shot three times by cops after approaching their unmarked car 'with his gun raised because he thought the occupants were stalking his fiancée'
Police have released body camera footage of an officer-involved shooting last month that left a 43-year-old man in critical condition in California.
John Berry was shot three times in the chest on October 24 as he was out searching for a stalker who was following his fiancée in a car.
Cops released the footage on Friday saying the department is conducting a multi-level investigation along with the Alameda County District Attorney’s office.
That evening San Leandro police officers in an unmarked car were looking for a suspect who fled from them when they tried to make a traffic stop.
Cops chased the suspect's sedan for several blocks and the chase finally ended near the intersection of 137th Avenue and School Street and the driver fled on foot.
On Friday San Leandro police released bodycam footage of the October 24 incident where officers shot John Berry, 43, was shot at least three times in the chest. He remains in the hospital where he was initially said to be in critical condition. A view of cops pointing their guns towards Berry's silver vehicle above
The officers were searching for a traffic stop suspect who fled from them when Berry's vehicle pulled up behind them. Berry said he was searching for a stalker who had been following his fiancée in a car. Police said Berry might have thought the unmarked police car was the vehicle following his fiancée
In the clip the officers are seen repeatedly ordering Berry to drop his gun after the shots were fired and one says: 'He says it’s stuck to his finger', referring to the gun
The officers found a firearm in the abandoned sedan and stayed in the area to look for the suspect.
Around 11.55pm the two officers noticed a silver car pull up behind them with its headlights on and stop on 137th Avenue east of Bancroft Avenue.
When the officers exited their vehicle they saw Berry behind the wheel pointing a firearm at them, according to CBS News.
However, the video footage does not show the gun in Berry’s hand.
The officers then opened fire and struck Berry several times in the chest.
In the clip the officers are seen repeatedly ordering Berry to drop his gun after the shots were fired and one says: 'He says it’s stuck to his finger.'
When the officers exited their vehicle they saw Berry behind the wheel pointing a firearm at them, however the video footage does not show the gun in Berry's hand. The officers then opened fire and struck Berry several times in the chest
In the clip the officers are seen repeatedly ordering the man to drop his gun after the shots were fired and one says: 'He says it’s stuck to his finger.' When they found him on the ground they saw the firearm was stuck on his finger
Video footage shows the moment officers approach the driver when he’s down on the ground bleeding and remove the firearm which was stuck on his finger.
Police said they believe one of the officer’s shots struck the trigger guard on Berry’s gun, causing it to get stuck, as per KTVU.
Then a 911 call comes in from Berry’s fiancé who told dispatchers her husband went searching for a driver who had been following her and she heard gun shots ring out not long after he left the house.
She said that someone in a vehicle had been following her earlier in the night.
Police said Berry might have thought the unmarked police car was the vehicle following his fiancée.
Berry was taken to a hospital suffering 'three gunshot wounds in the chest' and at least two exit wounds.
He was listed in critical condition and remains hospitalized.
Officials say the two incidents - the attempted traffic stop and Berry searching for the stalker - were unrelated.
The officers involved have been identified as Cole Pricco and Brady, who was solely identified by his last name. Both have been placed on administrative leave as per standard protocol.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact the San Leandro Police Department at (510) 577-2740.