San Jose police lawfully shot an armed man who carjacked and kidnapped a UPS driver in his truck, the Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office said in a report released Thursday.
The 37-page public report examined the Feb. 14, 2019 shooting, which occurred after a shotgun-wielding Mark Morasky led police on a 14-minute pursuit across San Jose before a tense, hours-long standoff.
“Morasky’s choice to avoid apprehension at all cost made him an imminent and formidable threat. Concerned for his safety, the safety of other officers, and the safety of civilians in the area, Officer (Nicholas) Bronte had no other reasonable option but to discharge his weapon,” Supervising Deputy District Attorney Miguel Valdovinos wrote in the report.
In addition to the report, the DA's Office also released video of the incident from a police helicopter and officers' body cameras.
The chase began about 5:15 p.m. at Chynoweth and Pearl avenues with Morasky, seen driving an SUV, sheriff's officials said. Authorities said Morasky shot at deputies during the pursuit.
At some point, Morasky hijacked the UPS truck, with the driver inside, and the chase continued along Highway 87 through downtown San Jose, turning into a standoff and hostage situation on North First Street and Trimble Road.
#UPDATE: Police chasing a UPS truck through San Jose; the truck has now stopped, with dozens of police vehicles behind it. https://t.co/RNczTSxCAi pic.twitter.com/erUXbsbKUA
— NBC Bay Area (@nbcbayarea) February 15, 2019
Police pursuit. Police appeared to be in a pursuit of a vehicle on Highway 87 in the South Bay. The chase spilled over onto North First Street in San Jose. This was taken at North First and Trimble Ave. pic.twitter.com/g92dhRYUyG
— Liz Wagner (@lizwags) February 15, 2019
#BREAKING: San Jose police are currently blocking N 1 Street at Component following a pursuit on I-87. https://t.co/oDakaJCuhM pic.twitter.com/9Umt9KSfEe
— "Kiki" Intarasuwan (@kintarasu) February 15, 2019
#BREAKING: Police in standoff following pursuit of UPS truck in San Jose.
— Kristofer Noceda (@krisnoceda) February 15, 2019
Livestream: https://t.co/9oIMl0tYBE pic.twitter.com/TO5dWUambH
#BREAKING Armed Man holding UPS driver hostage on N. 1st in San Jose. Police telling him to put the gun down and let the driver go. 30+ cop cars on scene. We’re live at 6 on @nbcbayarea pic.twitter.com/KD9AP4JFrF
— Janelle Wang (@janellewang) February 15, 2019
Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Dept. standoff with UPS truck on North First St. and Trimble Ave. in San Jose. Per SC Co Sheriff one female suspect in custody and hostage situation with UPS truck driver. Avoid the area. pic.twitter.com/klqQAncL62
— Liz Wagner (@lizwags) February 15, 2019
#UPDATE: Standoff continues in San Jose after police chased a UPS truck through San Jose. North First Street shut down in both directions, and VTA service has been halted between the Karina and Tasman stations. https://t.co/RMUU2ah6Bs pic.twitter.com/SgBfw2kmUb
— NBC Bay Area (@nbcbayarea) February 15, 2019
#BREAKING UPDATE: UPS driver exits the truck in San Jose standoff that began as a pursuit. Armed suspect remains inside the truck. https://t.co/Ke4IhbP3Pf pic.twitter.com/U9zHXzMCQQ
— NBC Bay Area (@nbcbayarea) February 15, 2019
At the corner of First St. and Component, just south of where the standoff following a police pursuit with a UPS truck is taking place. Extensive police presence, First St. cordoned off, vTA light rail is shut down in the area, traffic is backing up for miles. #BREAKING pic.twitter.com/PoC7f53i58
— Sara Bueno (@TVwebproducer) February 15, 2019
#UPDATE: Suspect in UPS standoff in San Jose opens passenger side window and appears to be using hand signals. https://t.co/ZF4BAS6JQr pic.twitter.com/tHtCFY9xrA
— NBC Bay Area (@nbcbayarea) February 15, 2019
Live: UPS driver exits the truck in #SanJose standoff that began as a pursuit. Armed suspect remains inside truck https://t.co/qYy1GzrrJH
— Riya (@loislane28) February 15, 2019
#UPDATE: Suspect in San Jose standoff starts to move forward in the UPS truck, but stops after moving about 10 feet. https://t.co/Pli1EVwg1w pic.twitter.com/mXymloYQ5D
— NBC Bay Area (@nbcbayarea) February 15, 2019
An armored personnel carrier has just arrived on scene at the police stand off at 1st & Trimble in San Jose: pic.twitter.com/wWtkEhHRIs
— Sergio Quintana (@svqjournalist) February 15, 2019
Suspect in San Jose UPS truck standoff flees on foot into the parking lot of an office park complex where he fell to the ground.https://t.co/gOhjPlx3wH pic.twitter.com/YOfFsoMWYv
— NBC Bay Area (@nbcbayarea) February 15, 2019
#UPDATE: During standoff in San Jose after the pursuit of a UPS truck, police moved in with armored vehicles, apparently prompting the shotgun-wielding suspect to flee on foot. https://t.co/19WXAi0Jtf pic.twitter.com/QZtpxRhBgO
— Stephen Ellison (@sj_ellison) February 15, 2019
The truck came to a halt on First Street after a spike strip blew one tire. The truck was immediately surrounded by at least two dozen police cars.
A woman later exited the vehicle and was taken into custody. She was identified in the DA report as Joanna Macy-Rodgers of San Jose, who faces felony charges including carjacking, kidnapping, taking a hostage and the attempted murder of a peace officer. Her next court hearing is scheduled for Nov. 18 in San Jose's Hall of Justice.
