Man Shot At By San Leandro Police During Welfare Check Died From Self-Inflicted Gunshot: Authorities

SAN LEANDRO, CA — A man who police unloaded a volley of gunfire at during a welfare check in San Leandro earlier this year died from a self-inflicted gunshot, authorities said Thursday.

A new video released by the San Leandro Police Department shows the moments leading up to the shooting of 39-year-old David McAlpin on May 7.

A friend called the police that night, telling them McAlpin had made comments about killing himself, according to the video.

Officers responded to the 39-year-old's home, but he wasn't there. After talking with his family, officers were able to get McAlpin on the phone, the video shows.

McAlpin showed hesitancy to tell officers his whereabouts as he was concerned he'd be placed on a mental health hold, but eventually told them he was at the San Leandro Marina.

An officer can be heard communicating with McAlpin throughout the video and reassuring him that they have resources available that could help him.

"Is somebody going to try to take me somewhere?" McAlpin can be heard asking the officer on the other line. "Can I sleep in my own bed tonight?"

"Yes," the officer tells him.

Several officers arrived at the marina, along with Qiu, who is heard greeting McAlpin and asking if he has a firearm, to which the 39-year-old responds, "No."

"I'm Officer Qiu. I'm new to the force, but I'm really just trying to help you," the officer can be heard telling McAlpin. "I know everything's hard. I'm just here to talk to you again, don't feel alarmed."

McAlpin appears dissociated in the video and continues to express concerns about being placed in a mental hold.

Police say during the conversation, McAlpin told officers he was going to harm himself at the marina, but had changed his mind.

The officer told McAlpin that because of what he said, he'd have to be evaluated by a mental health team before they could let him return home, the video shows.

"I do have to legally clear you out by the mental health folks," Officer Qiu can be heard saying. "Again, you might be out in like three hours. I have seen people who go there and be out within a couple of hours, which is probably what you're going to do."

McAlpin goes on to tell officers that he has great respect for them.

"Hey, I mean this with all sincerity," McAlpin tells the officers as he puts his glasses on the dashboard of his car and tells them he had been thinking about joining the force. "I'm sorry, I'm really sorry."

An officer seemingly noticed that McAlpin put something in his lap, the video shows, and asked him what he was doing.

Moments later, Officer Qiu opens McAlpin's door, and that's when police say the 39-year-old reached for a gun, prompting officers to fire several shots at him.

It's unclear how many times officers' gunfire struck McAlpin, if any. The officers can be heard telling him to stop moving and telling each other to stay back.

About a minute later, a thud can be heard in the video. Police say that the noise was McAlpin shooting himself.

McAlpin was pronounced dead at the scene, and the coroner determined he died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, authorities said.

No officer's body camera actually caught when police say McAlpin reached for his gun.

A gun was recovered from McAlpin's car, according to police, who shared a photo of a bloodied handgun.

No officers were injured during the incident.

The SLPD's Criminal Investigation Division is investigating the shooting. The three officers involved were placed on administrative leave while the department investigates.

The Alameda County District Attorney's Office will also conduct its own independent investigation into the shooting. The shooting is also being reviewed by San Leandro's independent police auditor, authorities said.