Fremont Police Use De-Escalation Tactics To Peacefully End Crisis

FREMONT, CA — The summer of 2020 has been filled with social unrest over police shootings and calls for de-funding police departments. On Wednesday, officers with the Fremont Police Department put into practice specialized training to de-escalate a crisis that left one man stabbed, and could have ended in tragedy — both for the suspect, and for the community.

At 12:45 p.m., officers were sent to the Archstone Apartments on Center Drive after a resident was stabbed by his roommate. Arriving officers were told that the suspect was still inside the apartment.

The stabbing victim was treated at the scene and taken to the hospital.

The suspect was found holding a knife and scissors on a second-floor balcony. He told officers that he planned to jump and commit suicide.

An officer trained in negotiations tried to coax the man to drop his weapons, and move away from the railing.

According to a message from police, "The suspect eventually climbed over the railing, still with a knife in his hand and jumped off. He landed on his feet, but then sat clutching the scissors. The suspect stood up, and walked toward officers with scissors in his hand. "

Officers kept their guns handy, but fires foam projectiles (think Nerf) at the suspect. He fell to the ground, but once again stood up and charged officers. Instead of firing their guns, officers used a TASER.

The suspect was still not subdued.

The man charged the officers a third time, and again, an officer used a TASER. This time, the suspect was stunned and fell to the ground.

Several officers swarmed the man, holding him down with their body weight, as he was still armed with scissors.

The unnamed suspect was taken into custody and treated by Fremont Fire Paramedics who were already there. He was taken to the hospital for medical treatment and placed on a mental health hold.

The case remains under investigation with further charges pending.