Armed Man Shot After Charging At Deputy In San Rafael: Police

SAN RAFAEL, CA – A police officer shot a knife-wielding suspect during a confrontation Sunday night in San Rafael.

The shooting ended a standoff that began shortly after 9 p.m., when a San Rafael police officer spotted a man on Market Street holding what appeared to be knives in both of his hands.

"The subject was waving the knives in a threatening manner," San Rafael police Sgt. Lisa Holton said.

Police closed off streets in the area while trying to negotiate the man to surrender. After about 30 minutes, the man began moving down Verdi Street toward Belvedere Street, where other officers were located. They ordered the man to drop the knives.

"When he failed to comply, a deputy fired less than lethal shotgun rounds at the subject," Holton said. "The rounds struck the subject but were ineffective."

The man then ran toward the deputy, Holton said, prompting a police officer to fire his gun at the suspect and hit him.

The suspect was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries, Holton said.

Sonoma County Sheriff's Office was investigating the officer-involved shooting.

No other information was immediately available.

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