SACRAMENTO POLICE DEPARTMENT News Release
		Release #10-03-03 October 3, 2003 For Immediate Release
						Media Office 916-433-0808  Capt. Sam Somers Sgt. Justin Risley, PIO PIC Audrey Lee     Internet: www.sacpd.org

On October 3, 2003, at approximately 3:26 a.m., a Sacramento Police Officer located a reported stolen vehicle in the area of 16th Avenue and 38th Street.  The vehicle, a 1990 Toyota Camry, quickly accelerated in an attempt to elude the officer.  The officer activated his overhead lights and siren in an attempt to stop the fleeing vehicle.  The officer pursued the vehicle as it traveled west on 21st Avenue from 38th Street.  The pursuit went south on 36th Street from 21st Avenue and then west into an alley.  The stolen vehicle came to an abrupt stop approximately 75 yards into the alley.
 
Upon stopping, the suspect (driver of the stolen vehicle) exited his vehicle and began to run from the pursuing officer.  As the suspect exited the stolen car, he reached down into his waistband area as if he was attempting to retrieve a weapon.  The officer pursued the suspect on foot for approximately 25 yards.  As the officer was gaining ground on the suspect, the suspect turned towards the officer and reached down towards his waistband area again.  The officer, fearing for his life as he thought the suspect was reaching for a weapon that would be used against him, fired his handgun twice at the suspect, striking him in the upper body. The suspect was transported to the U.C. Davis Medical Center.

The suspect, identified as Bictoriano Lopez, DOB 5/7/71, was found to be in possession of a dagger knife enclosed in a sheath in his waistband under his long shirt, exactly in the area the suspect was reaching for.  Lopez has a long arrest history and is currently on searchable probation.

The Sacramento Police Officer involved in this shooting has been with the Sacramento Police Department for three years.  As a matter of policy, this officer has been placed on paid administrative leave.   In accordance with the Sacramento Police Department’s Policy and Procedures, the circumstances surrounding this incident will be investigated by the Sacramento Police Department’s Homicide Unit, Internal Affairs Section, and Professional Standards Unit, the City of Sacramento’s Office of Police Accountability, and the Sacramento District Attorney’s Office.