Fresno Police responds to a lawsuit by the family of a man who was killed during an officer-involved shooting, last year.
“I have watched this video a minimum of 25 times, both in my office and on a large screen and each and every time I”ve watched this video whether in real time or in freeze frame, I believe he was armed with a handgun.” – Fresno Police Chief Jerry Dyer.
Fresno Police Chief Jerry Dyer went over the details of the incident when Freddy Centeno was shot in September of 2014 and played the 911 tape that was broadcast to the two officers in the field who were responding to the call.
Chief Dyer also played the body camera footage that showed Centeno reaching into his pants and pulling out what looked like a weapon, but turned out to be a dark water sprayer.
In the footage, police officers pull up to the home, get out and see Centeno approach them, then shout at him to drop the weapon and “get on the ground, get on the ground!”
He doesn’t comply and in a split second, officers pulled their weapons and shot five rounds, with seven bullets hitting Centeno.
The family said Centeno had mental issues and is suing the police department.
“That attorney is mistaken – when an officer fears for their safety then they are justified for using deadly force.” -Chief Dyer.
Dyer says the City of Fresno’s Office of Independent Review determined the officers were justified, and it was a solid example of the use of body cameras.
