Suspect With Knife Shot In Santa Rosa Altercation With Deputy

SANTA ROSA, CA — A Sonoma County sheriff's deputy shot a shoplifting suspect Thursday evening in Santa Rosa when responding to a "be-on-the-lookout" — BOLO — alert from the security department at Santa Rosa Plaza mall, according to the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office.

The alert went out at 5:38 p.m. and advised that a man armed with a knife had just threatened to stab a mall security guard.

"Security officers told the Santa Rosa Police Department that a man stole items from a store and when a security officer attempted to stop him, the man pulled a knife and attempted to stab his face," the sheriff's office said in a news release. "The man fled the mall north on Morgan Street."

A sheriff's deputy who was in the area and received the BOLO announcement saw a man on 9th Street at Morgan Street who matched the description of the suspect, sheriff's officials said.

According to the sheriff's office:

"The deputy stopped his patrol car and the man walked by the deputy, refusing commands to stop. The deputy gave warnings and deployed his Taser which had no effect on the man. As the deputy tried to get in front of the man to stop him from walking away, the man retreated backwards and ran to the deputy’s patrol car and entered the driver’s seat.

"An altercation ensued as the man pulled the door shut while brandishing a knife towards the deputy as the deputy tried to open the door. The deputy shot his service weapon towards the man which struck him at least three times."

The suspect was treated at the scene for injuries, then taken to a local hospital by ambulance. He remained hospitalized with injuries reported to be significant but non-life threatening, according to the sheriff's office.

The Santa Rosa Police Department and Sonoma County District Attorneys Office responded and initiated an investigation as required under countywide policy for police shootings.

Sheriff's officials said further information about the shooting investigation will be released by the Santa Rosa Police Department.