Napa Police Release Name Of Officer Involved In Fatal Shooting

NAPA, CA — As an investigation is ongoing into a fatal officer-involved shooting this week in Napa, the Napa Police Department released the name late Friday afternoon of the officer involved: Officer Christopher Simas.

Simas has served as a Napa police officer for two years — since December 2016 — Napa police Lt. Brian Campagna said in a news release.

Officer Simas remains on administrative leave following the fatal shooting of David Alejandro Molina, 27, at about 2 a.m. Wednesday at the Vineyard Terrace Apartment complex at Soscol and Maplewood avenues.

"The Napa County Major Crimes Task Force continues to work on this investigation," Campagna said Friday.

"Additional information about the status of the case will be released early next week," Campagna told Patch.

Napa police officers initially responded at about 1:50 a.m. Wednesday to a report of an assault at the Kentwood apartment complex on Soscol. The caller told Napa police dispatchers the suspect was armed with a handgun, according to Napa Police Department's initial statement about the incident.

Molina reportedly left the scene of the alleged assault but not long after, officers spotted him riding a skateboard on Soscol.

Responding officers reportedly asked Molina to put his hands up and get on the ground but he allegedly ran away into the Stonehouse apartment complex.

One of the officers, now identified as Simas, chased Molina for several minutes, reportedly giving Molina "repeated commands to cooperate" but he allegedly kept running.

The foot chase ended in a fight, with Simas ultimately using his department-issued rifle to shoot Molina, police said.

Simas suffered minor injuries in the incident.

Molina was pronounced dead at the scene.

Napa police have not yet said whether Molina was indeed armed with a handgun.

"Whenever there is an officer-involved shooting, it is always a difficult situation for all parties involved," Napa PD officials said. "Our thoughts are with the man’s family, our officers and the community during this time."

• ORIGINAL REPORT: Fatal Napa Officer-Involved Shooting: Police Reopen Soscol Avenue
• ALSO SEE: Authorities ID Man Fatally Shot By Contra Costa Sheriff's Deputy | Text 911 Service Now Available In Davis, Yolo County | 2 Dixon Police Officers Receive Promotions

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