SRPD Identifies Officer Who Shot At Umbrella-Wielding Man

SANTA ROSA, CA — Santa Rosa police have released a more detailed account of the circumstances surrounding an officer-involved shooting that occurred Saturday when officers responded to reports of a man pointing what appeared to be a gun, but turned out to be a black umbrella, at cars.

As of Tuesday, Santa Rosa Police Department's Violent Crimes Investigation Team had spoken with more than 10 people who witnessed the suspect pointing the umbrella at moving vehicles prior to the shooting, SRPD Lt. Dan Marincik said.

"Many of those individuals have said they believed the umbrella was a firearm," Marincik said. "They also stated the suspect had held the object up with two hands in a shooting motion and had made a recoil motion."

Witnesses told investigators they believed the man was either shooting at or going to shoot at them, and were extremely afraid for their safety, the lieutenant said.

"Additionally, the suspect had stated after the incident that he had made noises while pointing the umbrella that simulated the sound of a firearm being fired," Marincik said.

While the initial shooting was not captured on body-worn camera video, the arrest of the suspect, later identified as 24-year-old Santa Rosa resident Joshua Oceguera, was captured, the lieutenant said.

"The officer's body-worn camera was not activated during the shooting which is why the shooting was not recorded," Marincik told Patch.

The incident began at 12:35 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, when dispatchers received numerous reports that a man, later identified as 24-year-old Santa Rosa resident Joshua Oceguera, walking in the area of Guerneville and Fulton roads was carrying a rifle and pointing it at people.

Officer Stephen Darden, who has worked for SRPD for just under 1 year, arrived at 12:42 p.m. and was the first on scene. Less than a minute later, Darden spotted a man pointing what the officer believed to be a rifle at passing cars.

"The officer was approximately 90-100 yards away from the suspect," Marincik said. "The officer saw the suspect pointing what he believed was a rifle at passing vehicles and making a recoil motion as if the rifle had been fired."

Darden was still in his patrol vehicle at that time so he switched on the car's emergency lights before getting out of the car with his department-issued rifle. Using his loudspeaker, Darden commanded Oceguera to show his hands.

"The suspect turned toward the officer and raised the object toward his shoulder in what the officer described as a shooting position," Marincik said. "The suspect then pointed the object at the officer."

At 12:43 p.m., Darden, believing Oceguera was going to shoot him, fired three rounds from his rifle.

As Darden changed his position, he saw Oceguera extend one of his arms and could now see Oceguera was holding a long black umbrella, not a rifle.

At 12:44 p.m., a second officer arrived on scene. Together but in separate cars, the two officers began to trail Oceguera as he walked westbound on Guerneville, away from the scene of the shooting.

As they got closer to Oceguera, Darden got out of his patrol car and ran toward Oceguera, tackling him to the ground. Darden and the other officer were then able to take Oceguera into custody without further incident.

Oceguera was booked into Sonoma County jail on suspicion of making criminal threats, assault, and brandishing an imitation firearm. Jail records indicate he has since been released from custody.

Per SRPD's protocol, an administrative review is being conducted and Darden has been placed on administrative leave.

No injuries were reported in the shooting.

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