Police Justified In Fatal Shooting: Contra Costa County D.A.

MARTINEZ, CA — The Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office concluded that police acted in lawful self-defense when they shot and killed David Wali Bahrami during a June 30 confrontation in Antioch, according to a public report released this week.

The report found that officers reasonably used lethal force after Bahrami advanced toward them with a large kitchen knife following repeated attempts to defuse the confrontation, which was captured on police video.

According to a public report released by the Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office, the fatal police shooting of Bahrami unfolded in the 3800 block of Osprey Drive over roughly 90 minutes beginning with a call to dispatchers.

At about 6:16 a.m., Antioch Police Department dispatchers received the first in a series of 911 calls from Bahrami, according to the report.

Bahrami told dispatchers, “Hi, I’m about to kill someone,” and gave his address. When dispatch asked him to identify himself, he responded, “I don’t have a name,” and hung up the phone.

Dispatchers identified the caller, and officers with the Antioch Police Department tried to reach him by phone, but early calls went unanswered.

Bahrami lived with his family and had a history of mental illness, according to the report.

Over the next 40 minutes, Bahrami called officers and dispatch, but gave jumbled accounts. At about 7:07 a.m., he called 911 again, repeating that he intended to kill someone and expressing frustration that police had not yet arrived. Minutes later, he placed another call asking where officers were and claiming he had no weapons and was alone inside the home.

Officers were dispatched to the neighborhood. Officer Michael Drace called Bahrami, who didn't pick up. Drace missed several return calls from Bahrami.

At about 7:18 a.m., Officer Jake Merrill reached Bahrami by phone again. Merrill spoke with Bahrami for several minutes, trying to persuade him to come outside and reduce the risk to family members believed to be inside.

During a later call around 7:39 a.m., Bahrami told the officer he would kill his neighbor if police did not come to his house. Officers then moved closer—about four houses away—and asked him to exit the residence so they could continue negotiations at a safer distance.

At approximately 7:42 a.m., Bahrami walked out of his home and began moving toward the officers. According to the report, officers ordered him to stop and get on his knees. Instead, investigators said, Bahrami pulled a large kitchen knife from his waistband and began running in a curved path toward them.

One officer fired a 40-mm high-impact rubber projectile at Bahrami, but it did not stop him. Bahrami changed direction and ran at officers while holding the knife. He was 15-20 feet away when police shot him. He fell, still holding the knife.

Officers ordered him to drop the knife. When he did not, they fired another 40-mm round, after shooting at him, while Bahrami was on the ground.

Police kicked the knife away and began medical aid. Paramedics arrived shortly afterward, but Bahrami was already dead.

The report concluded that officers attempted to de-escalate the situation and used less-lethal force before resorting to gunfire when faced with what prosecutors described as an imminent threat of serious injury or death.

According to county policy, the District Attorney’s Office conducts an independent review when a person dies during an interaction involving law enforcement in Contra Costa County. The office issues a public report when prosecutors determine criminal charges are not warranted.

Contra Costa County District Attorney Diana Becton said the reports are intended to provide transparency after fatal incidents. “Transparency and accountability are fundamental to maintaining public trust,” Becton said in a statement. “When a fatal incident occurs, my office is committed to conducting a comprehensive, independent investigation and sharing our findings with the community in a detailed public report.”