SACRAMENTO POLICE DEPARTMENT News Release
		Release #11-04-02 November 4, 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 21, 2002, at approximately 7:04 a.m., the Sacramento Police Department  conducted a high-risk narcotic search warrant at 3307 Western Avenue.  SWAT officers assisted in the entry due to information of possible/prior weapons and vicious dogs at the residence.

SWAT team members approached the front of the residence and made verbal and knocking announcements at the front door.  While doing so, a suspect (later identified as Stephan Roberts) exited the rear of the residence and threw a stolen handgun over the back fence. The suspect saw officers who had surrounded the residence and then re-entered the residence via the rear door of the house leading to the kitchen area.

Not getting a response to the verbal and knocking announcements, SWAT team officers breeched the front door and tossed a distraction device into the residence.  SWAT officers entered and made their way into the front room of the house when they observed a large shepard mix dog which immediately began charging the officers from the kitchen area.  In fear for their safety,  two SWAT officers each fired three times at the charging dog.  The SWAT officers were carrying submachine guns which, when fired, released a controlled three round burst for each trigger pull.  The dog finally came to rest at the officer’s feet.

SWAT officers located Stephan Roberts in the kitchen area of the residence when he was taken into custody without incident.  Three other suspects were also located inside the residence.  SWAT officers noticed blood on Stephan Roberts and called for medical personnel.  Preliminary investigation revealed that a bullet or possible shrapnel ricochet off the cement slab of the residence and struck suspect Stephan Roberts in the left chest and grazed his left upper left thigh.  Stephan Roberts was ambulatory and walked out of the residence with medical personnel.  He was transported to a local area hospital for treatment. Hospital personnel determined that a bullet fragment was lodged in the muscle of Stephan Robert’s chest.  He was medically cleared and later incarcerated at the Sacramento County Main Jail.
 

Three of the four suspects at the residence were arrested:

 1. Stephan Roberts-D.O.B.-8-12-75- Possession of a firearm/stolen firearm
 2. John Roberts-D.O.B.-7-7-70- Possession of methamphetamine
 3.  Maria Davis-D.O.B.-10-12-84- Outstanding felony warrant

In addition to the deceased dog, there were six other pit bull dogs located at the residence.

A SWAT sergeant with 23 years and a SWAT officer with 11 years were involved in the shooting.

In accordance with department procedures, the circumstances surrounding this incident will be investigated by the department’s Homicide Assaults Unit and Internal Affairs Division; the Sacramento District Attorney’s Office; and the City’s Office of Police Accountability.

Sergeant Justin Risley
Ref. #11-21-02