A Newark police officer shot and killed an armed robbery suspect, who police say defied the officer’s order to stop and instead pointed a firearm at him Friday night.
A woman who works at a KFC at 5724 Thornton Avenue dialed 911 around 9:52 p.m. to report that a man carrying a handgun was inside the restaurant and forcing another employee to open the register, police said. Responding officers arrived at the scene at 9:55 p.m. and saw a woman with her hands up.
When an officer saw the suspect escape from the restaurant’s rear kitchen door, he shouted at him to stop. However, the robber turned to face the officer and pointed a black semi-automatic gun at him, police said.
The officer fired one round at the suspect, striking him. The robber, however, fled southbound on St. Edwards Street, dropping stolen property and the gun in the process, police said.
He collapsed a short distance away and did not survive his injury although police officers and Alameda County Fire Department paramedics provided first aid, according to police.
The officer involved in the shooting has been with the Newark Police Department for three years and has been placed on paid administrative leave, per the department’s policy, police said.
The armed robbery suspect will not be identified until his next of kin have been notified of his death, police said.
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The Alameda County District Attorney’s Office is conducting an independent investigation into the incident as are the city’s police department and Alameda County Sheriff's Office.
People with information are asked to call the Newark Police Department’s Investigations Unit Detective Sergeant David Higbee at (510) 578-4962. Information can also be provided anonymously on the “Silent Witness” hotline at (510) 578-4965.
