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Santa Maria police release video of June police shooting

SANTA MARIA, Calif. - The Santa Maria Police Department released dashcam footage from a June shooting in which a man with a replica pistol was shot by a police officer outside of a Santa Maria business.

The shooting happened on June 21 outside of Boomers Miniature Golf Arcade at 2250 North Preisker Lane.

Police were responding to the business after receiving reports of an armed man on the property. Employees of the arcade ushered guests inside the business after the man was spotted waving a handgun.

In the video shared by police, Officer Ethan Brown is seen confronting the man on the street corner at the intersection of Broadway and Preisker Lane.

Brown is heard on camera ordering the man to lie on the ground. The man does not obey commands and appears to be fidgeting with his waistband before removing a handgun from his waistband with his left hand.

Brown then fires on the man, who drops the gun after being hit. The handgun was later discovered to be a replica Beretta 9mm pistol.

The video then shows multiple officers providing first aid for the man after he was shot. He was then transported to the hospital for treatment of injuries that were not believed to be life-threatening.

Santa Maria police said officers have had more than two dozen encounters with this same man since 2016. In January, police responded to a call of the same man walking on the street with a firearm. In that interaction, which is also shown in the police department's video, the man immediately drops his weapon and complies with police.

The gun in this January incident was also found to be a replica pistol. The police department said a Spanish-speaking officer warned the man of the dangers of carrying replica weapons.

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office is investigating the shooting. The Santa Barbara County District Attorney's Office will decide if the shooting was justified or if charges will be filed.

The man is currently out of custody, according to the Santa Maria Police Department.


Article Topic Follows: Crime & Courts

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Anikka Abbott

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