(KMJ) – The Fresno Police Department now says the suspect shot by officers earlier this week in the northwestern part of the city was not armed.
This all stems from an incident around 12:30 a.m. Tuesday on Barstow near Blackstone. There a pair of Fresno Police officers confronted 35-year old Anthony Coronado after getting several 9-1-1 calls claiming a man was waving a gun at people driving by.
Fresno Police say Coronado waived an object in his hand as he failed to obey their commands. And, fearing for their safety, both officers opened fire. He was hit once in the right arm and twice in the lower extremities. Only after he was taken into custody did officers discover the dark object in his hand was a cellphone. Coronado was transported to CRMC where he was treated for non-life threatening injuries.
Here is the statement on this incident from Fresno Police Chief Andy Hall:
The officers have been placed on administrative duties for the duration of the criminal investigation. In addition to the Fresno Police Department’s criminal investigation, this incident will be reviewed by the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office, the Office of Independent Review, the Department’s Internal Affairs Unit, and State and Federal agencies.
This is yet another example of a failed system that has neglected to address homelessness, mental health, and drug and alcohol addictions until it manifests itself into a police action.
