Officer-Involved Shooting: August 10, 2022
*The information provided below is preliminary as the investigation into this incident remains on-going. Some details may change as supplemental information is gathered and additional witnesses are interviewed.*
On August 10, 2022, just before 1 a.m., Sacramento Police Department patrol officers responded to a residence in the 100 block of Dragonfly Circle. The initial call indicated that a male suspect, later identified as Isaiah Gardner, was armed with a sword and had barricaded himself in his residence with his wife and children. Additional information was received from the wife that she was not being allowed to leave with her children.
After the initial responding patrol officers attempted to make contact into the residence for several hours, officers from the Crisis Negotiation Team and the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team responded to the scene to assist. Crisis negotiators were on the phone with the occupants of the residence for over two hours as they worked towards a peaceful resolution. SWAT officers formed a hostage rescue team that would be able to quickly enter the residence to prevent the victims from being harmed.
During this time, officers learned that the suspect was holding his family hostage inside a bedroom. At approximately 7:30 a.m., as negotiations continued, sounds of distress were heard from the wife and threatening statements were heard from the suspect.
SWAT officers quickly entered the residence to rescue the hostages. They encountered the suspect holding a long sword raised next to his wife and children. One officer fired their duty weapons, striking the suspect.
Officers immediately rendered emergency medical aid, and the suspect was transported to a hospital by the Sacramento Fire Department. The suspect was later booked into the Sacramento County Main Jail on false imprisonment charges. No hostages or officers were injured during this incident.
Photos
Officers located a sword in the immediate area of the suspect. Below is a photograph of the recovered sword that the suspect was holding when encountered by SWAT officers:
Press Releases
Videos
On August 23, 2022 SPD released video and audio material related to this incident. This content consisted of one narrated video, two body-worn camera videos, one dispatch audio file, and one audio file from the Crisis Negotiation Team. The videos begin when the SWAT team enters the residence and conclude when the suspect is taken into custody.
All video and audio released has been redacted to ensure the confidentiality and privacy of those involved. The faces and/or identifying materials have been blurred, and audio redactions are signified by muted audio with no accompanying sound. The material is available to the media and citizens through the YouTube link below, which was also posted on the Department’s Facebook page and Twitter account (@sacpolice):
YouTube playlist for audio and video released on August 23, 2022
On September 1, 2022 SPD released video and audio material related to this incident. This content consisted of one narrated video, twenty-one body-worn camera videos, three in-car camera videos, six videos from unmanned aircraft systems, five dispatch audio files, and four audio files from the Crisis Negotiation Team. The videos begin when the SWAT team enters the residence and conclude when the suspect is transported by Sacramento Fire Department (SFD) personnel to a local hospital.
All video and audio released has been redacted to ensure the confidentiality and privacy of those involved. The faces and/or identifying materials have been blurred, and audio redactions are signified by muted audio with no accompanying sound. The material is available to the media and citizens through the YouTube link below, which was also posted on the Department’s Facebook page and Twitter account (@sacpolice):
YouTube playlist for audio and video released on September 1, 2022
Status
This incident is being investigated by the Sacramento Police Department’s Homicide Unit, Internal Affairs Division, and Professional Standards Unit. A response and investigation into the incident will also be conducted by the Force Investigation Team. The investigation will focus on policy, tactics, and training as it relates to the use of force. The Office of Public Safety Accountability and the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office are providing oversight by monitoring the investigation.
This incident falls under the City Council’s policy on Police Use of Force as well as SB 1421. As a result, the video and audio associated with this incident will be released to the public within 30 days. Detectives are in the process of identifying and retrieving video associated with this incident.