Officer Involved Shooting: DA Files Voluntary Manslaughter Charge

SAN LEANDRO, CA — Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O’Malley announced Wednesday that San Leandro Police Officer Jason Fletcher has been charged with Voluntary Manslaughter for the shooting death of Steven Taylor on April 18, at the San Leandro Walmart Store. The charge is a felony.

Taylor is expected to be arraigned on Sept. 15 at the East County Hall of Justice.

San Leandro Police Chief Jeff Tudor said in a written statement, "As the Police Chief of San Leandro, I know the loss of Steven Taylor has deeply affected this community. Today, the District Attorney has charged Officer Jason Fletcher with voluntary manslaughter. It is important that we allow the judicial process to take its course. I will refer all questions to the District Attorney’s Office."

"The decision to file the criminal complaint was made after an intensive investigation and thorough analysis of the evidence and the current law," said O’Malley. "The work of Police Officers is critical to the health, safety and well-being of our communities. Their job is one of the most demanding in our society, especially in these current challenging times. They are sworn to uphold and enforce the laws.

When there is use of force by a police officer that results in death, the District Attorney's Office conducts an independent and thorough investigation of the facts. We are mandated to apply those facts to California law. The decision must be made based solely on the facts and the current law. Justice demands this process to be done in an unbiased and legally sound manner."

According to California law, police officers may use deadly force only when necessary in defense of human life.

According to the DA's investigation, Fletcher responded to the Walmart Store at 1555 Hesperian Blvd. in San Leandro on a report of a shoplifter holding a baseball bat.

The investigation showed that Taylor went into the store, grabbed an aluminum baseball bat and a tent, and tried to leave without paying. He was stopped by store security and asked to return the items. He did not comply, and a 911 call was made.

Two SLPD units were dispatched to the store.

According to the DA investigation, "two different store customers approached Taylor and tried to help him. A female customer offered him several dollars, to which Mr. Taylor said no thank you. Store security told Mr. Taylor they had called the police and they were on the way. Mr. Taylor said he would wait for the police to arrive. Mr. Taylor waited near the shopping cart area and an older lady stood nearby."

Officer Fletcher arrived first, and spoke with a store security guard who briefed him on what was happening. Fletcher did not wait for his cover officer to arrive but immediately contacted Taylor in the shopping cart area. The officer grabbed the bat with his left hand and attempted to take the bat and pulled out his service pistol at the same time. Taylor pulled the bat from the officer's grasp and stepped away. From a distance of approximately 17 feet, Fletcher drew his taser with his left hand and pointed it at Taylor.

Officer Fletcher told Taylor to “drop the bat man, drop the bat.” Taylor did not comply and Fletcher shot him with his taser as he advanced towards the man. Fletcher tased Taylor again, and Taylor leaned forward over his feet and stumbled forward. According to the DA's Office, Taylor "posed no threat of imminent deadly force or serious bodily injury to defendant Fletcher or anyone else in the store. Defendant Fletcher shot Mr. Taylor in the chest just as backup Officer Overton arrived in the store."

Taylor dropped the bat, turned away from Fletcher and fell to the ground. He was later pronounced dead.

Less than 40 seconds elapsed from the time Officer Fletcher entered the store to the time he shot and killed Taylor.

The DA's Office reviewed multiple videos, witness statements, police officer statements, and physical evidence.