Officer-Involved Shooting: July 21, 2020
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 Tuesday, July 21, 2020 at approximately 2:15pm, Sacramento Police Department (SPD) officers were at an apartment complex in the 2900 block of Ramona Avenue conducting their follow-up investigation into a shooting that occurred on July 15, 2020. While on scene, officers observed a subject matching the description of the suspect from that shooting who had a distinctive visible tattoo.
Officers verbally identified themselves and attempted to contact him. The subject removed a handgun from a satchel and began pointing it at officers. The suspect continued to point the firearm at officers and remained non-compliant with their commands to drop the weapon. One officer discharged their patrol rifle, striking the subject at least once.
Officers approached the subject and rendered medical aid until personnel from the Sacramento Fire Department arrived. The suspect was transported to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries, where he was later declared deceased. The subject has been publicly identified as 22-year-old, Jeremy Southern.
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.
Photos
Officers located the loaded firearm in the immediate area of the suspect. Below are photographs of the recovered firearm that the suspect pointed at officers and the loaded magazine:
Press Releases
Videos
On July 27, 2020, SPD released video and audio material related to this incident. The material consists of three (3) body-worn camera (BWC) videos , one (1) bystander's cell-phone video, as well as eleven (11) audio files of our radio dispatch and 911 calls made to our Communications Center. Also included in this video release is a 13-minute video that provides details of the incident.
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):
On August 20, 2020, SPD supplemented its public release of audio and video material related to this investigation to include: seventy-eight (78) body-worn camera (BWC) videos, thirty-nine (39) in-car camera (ICC) videos, one (1) helicopter video from the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office, fifteen (15) videos recorded by bystanders, two hundred and thirteen (213) surveillance camera videos, and eleven (11) audio files of our radio dispatch and 911 calls made to our Communications Center.
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:
This incident remains under investigation. The Sacramento Police Department is committed to transparency and additional audio and video material will be released as the investigation progresses.
Status
This incident is being investigated by the Sacramento Police Department’s Homicide Unit and Internal Affairs Division. 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. Additional information and records will be released as the investigation progresses.