SACRAMENTO POLICE DEPARTMENT News Release
		Release #11-02-02 November 2, 2002 For Immediate Release
						Media Office 916-433-0808  Capt. Sam Somers Sgt. Justin Risley, PIO AA Audrey Lee PCIII Cheryl Moore Internet: www.sacpd.org

On November 2, 2002, at approximately 5:22 p.m., the Sacramento Police Department was notified by the California Highway Patrol (CHP) that they had an officer involved shooting at G and 12th Streets.  Sacramento Police officers responded to the location to assist.

It was determined through the initial investigation that a CHP officer, driving a marked police vehicle and in full uniform, was in the area of L and 11th Streets when he observed a male suspect driving a 1990, Ford pick-up truck, the wrong way (East) on L Street.  The officer activated his overhead lights in an attempt to stop the suspect when the suspect made a U turn and began to travel West on L Street.  The officer followed the suspect (overhead lights still activated) as he turned North onto 10th Street.   The suspect then briefly stopped for a red light at K Street and then drove through the red light.  The suspect again stopped for a red light at J Street.  At the intersection of 10th and J Streets, the CHP officer pulled in front of the suspect vehicle and exited his vehicle in an attempt to contact the suspect.  The suspect drove around the CHP officer and continued North on 10th Street.  The CHP officer, now in pursuit, followed the suspect who made an East (wrong way) turn onto G Street.  The suspect drove through the intersection of G and 12th Streets when a black SUV traveling South on 12th Street collided with the suspect vehicle.  The suspect vehicle continued a short distance before coming to a stop on G Street just East of 12th Street.

The officer immediately exited and ran to the rear of his vehicle to contact the suspect.  The suspect also exited his vehicle and began moving toward the rear of the CHP vehicle. When the suspect saw the officer, he ran back toward the driver’s door of his truck.  While standing outside the truck, the suspect began to make incoherent statements talking about “Jesus”.  The officer, who is bilingual, noticed the suspect was speaking in both Spanish and broken English.  With his weapon drawn, the officer gave numerous verbal commands in both Spanish and English for the suspect to get on the ground.  The suspect ignored the commands and charged towards the officer.  The officer attempted to retreat backwards as fast as he could while continuing to yell commands.  When the suspect was within several feet of the officer, the officer, fearing for his life, fired one round at the suspect.  The suspect continued to move toward the officer when he fired a second shot.  The suspect then fell to the ground and was taken into custody.   Medical aid was provided for the suspect until the Sacramento City Fire Department arrived and transported him to the UCD Medical Center.  The suspect sustained two gunshot wounds to the lower extremities which appear to be non-life threatening at this time.  The occupants of the SUV were also transported to a local area hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

The suspect was identified as Norberto Meza- D.O.B.-01-22-66.   Officers located a glass narcotic pipe in his pants pocket.

The CHP officer works out of the Office of Capitol Protection which provides service to several State properties in the downtown area.  He is a five-year veteran of the California Highway Patrol.

Due to the fact that this incident occurred within the City of Sacramento, the Sacramento Police Department’s Homicide and Traffic Divisions as well as the Sacramento County District Attorney’s office will be conducting investigations.

The suspect will be initially charged with felony evading and assault on a peace officer.  Additional charges may follow.

Sergeant Justin Risley
#11-02-02