DA Pamela Price announced the conclusion of the Public Accountability Unit's (PAU) review of the 2018 fatal shooting of Agustin Gonsalez by Hayward Police Officers, a case scrutinized for potential criminal charges against the officers involved. The announcement stated that Officers Phillip Wooley and Michael Clark will not face criminal charges, as detailed in a press release by the Alameda County District Attorney's Office.
The PAU's examination incorporated evidence from the prior administration's evaluation, including body-worn camera footage, investigative reports, witness statements, dispatch recordings, and Officer Wooley’s testimony in the civil litigation against the City of Hayward. This comprehensive review led the District Attorney’s office to conclude that the fatal shooting could not be criminally prosecuted due to a lack of evidence supporting unlawful conduct. This decision was shared with Gonsalez's family, acknowledging the gravity of the incident and the legal reasoning underlying the decision.
In her assessment, District Attorney Price enlisted Dr. Ian Adams, a use-of-force expert whose analysis was pivotal in evaluating the officers' tactical choices. This factor may have influenced the final outcome. The investigation also considered whether the officers' decisions may have unnecessarily escalated the situation, ultimately leading to Gonsalez’s death.
Although criminal charges were not pursued, District Attorney Price, in a letter to Hayward Police Chief Bryan Matthews, stressed that "the sanctity of life is a core principle of all policing." She underscored the importance of learning from this incident to prevent future tragedies. The letter cited "tactical failures" and deficiencies in departmental training as potential contributing factors, underscoring the need for ongoing improvement in law enforcement practices. This approach aims to reinforce a model of policing grounded in the principle that preserving life is paramount to maintaining justice and public trust, as cited by the Alameda County District Attorney's Office.
