December 8, 2009

Officer involved Shooting on 50th Avenue

On December 8, 2009, shortly after 10:30 a.m. a Sacramento County Sheriff’s sergeant arrived at an apartment complex in the 4700 block of 50th Avenue to mediate a roommate disturbance between a 35-year-old son and his mother. When the sergeant arrived he made contact with the male caller to mediate the dispute. For reasons unclear at this time, a violent struggle between the sergeant and the caller broke out shortly afterwards. During the struggle, the sergeant drew his collapsible baton in an effort to gain control of the suspect. However, the suspect was able to take the baton away from the sergeant and strike him in the head with it. At that time, fearing he was in imminent danger of death or great bodily injury, the sergeant drew his department issued semi-automatic handgun and fired multiple shots. The suspect was struck multiple times in the upper body. Paramedics arrived a short time later and pronounced him dead at the scene. The sergeant suffered minor injuries.

The Sacramento County Coroner’s Office identified the suspect as Giat Van Truong, date of birth: September 2, 1974.

In accordance with the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department’s policies and procedures the sergeant involved in this shooting, a 45-year-old/19-year department veteran, will be placed on paid administrative leave. The circumstances surrounding the shooting will be investigated by the Sacramento Sheriff’s Department’s Homicide Unit, Internal Affairs Unit, and the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office.

Sergeant Tim Curran,
Sheriff's Spokesman