A Berkeley police officer fired at and critically wounded a 33-year-old man during an incident believed to be related to domestic violence yesterday, as noted by Berkeley authorities. The altercation, which escalated to an officer-involved shooting, took place in a University Avenue residence east of Sacramento Street. Dispatched to the scene after a 911 caller reported a woman's screams for help at approximately 6:50 a.m., responding officers were confronted by an armed man who threatened them with a firearm, reported the San Francisco Chronicle.
According to officer Jessica Perry, the man repeatedly exited the apartment with his weapon despite officers attempting negotiation and working to ensure the safety of other residents. The situation further devolved when the man, armed once more, came out of the residence, an action that was subsequently met by police gunfire.
The involved individual was transported to a hospital where his condition remains critical. As is standard procedure following such events, the Berkeley Police Department and the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office have commenced a joint investigation into the shooting. Meanwhile, the officer involved has been placed on paid administrative leave. Specifics regarding the officer's identity, as well as that of the armed man, have not been disclosed.
Compounding the tension in the area, a suspicious package linked to the shooting was discovered later that same day around 1 p.m., prompting an extended closure of University Avenue in both directions, detailed by KTVU. The ordeal was a stark disruption to an otherwise uneventful weekend morning for residents like Brian Huang, who found himself jolted awake by the sounds of gunfire. Sharing his experience with KTVU, Huang said, "It was a little odd, but I woke up. I went outside and people were just walking around like nothing had happened. So, I don’t know." The roads were eventually reopened around 3:50 p.m.
