Bodycam shows Jason Thompson fatally shot by Solano deputies when he charged at them with a knife
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On June 19th, Solano County Sheriff's deputies responded to the City of Vallejo at the request of the Vallejo Police Department. VPD requested assistance with a man who, at the time, was cutting himself with a knife. This incident resulted in an officer involved shooting, when 29-year-old Jason Thompson from San Jose charged deputies with blades.
The Sheriff’s Office is releasing all body worn camera footage and in-car camera footage for our community to view. Understandably, our community has questions about the incident. In order to preserve the integrity of the investigation, at the request of the Solano County Major Crimes Task Force the videos were withheld until now. We have blurred specific areas for privacy considerations.
Below is a brief description of what happened. All times and measurements are estimated for the purpose of this general summary.
At approximately 4:30 p.m., VPD received a report of a traffic collision and possible hit and run near Curtola Parkway and Marin Street. Less than an hour later, and one block east from this accident, there was a report of a possible carjacking at the intersection of Curtola Parkway and Sonoma Boulevard.
The carjacking victim called VPD just after 5:30 p.m. At 6:20 p.m., it was reported that the same carjacking suspect had returned to this area carrying a knife and not wearing a shirt, this man was later identified as Jason Thompson. About 10 minutes later, VPD received another call reporting that three people were now chasing the shirtless man away from that intersection. At 6:45 p.m., VPD received a call that a man was cutting himself with a knife on the corner of Pennsylvania and Sutter Streets, which is about 700 feet away from Curtola Parkway and Sonoma Boulevard.
Around 7:00 p.m., VPD called Solano County Sheriff's Dispatch and requested that deputies respond to this report of a man cutting himself with a knife. VPD did not have available officers to respond at that time. While enroute to respond, a deputy requested to have county Mobile Crisis respond as well, but the Mobile Crisis unit was not available. Three deputy sheriffs responded to the intersection and found the man holding what appeared to be multiple knives in his hands.
As deputies were getting out of their patrol cars, this man, later identified as Jason Thompson, threw one of the knives at the deputies, with the knife hitting the patrol car. Deputies immediately gave commands for him to drop the remaining knives still in his hands. Instead, Thompson began aggressively walking toward them. Dedicated to Community Service
One deputy successfully discharged a Taser at Thompson striking him; however, it did not affect him. He continued to advance toward the deputies, still wielding knives in each hand. The deputies continued backing up to create space between them and Thompson, but Thompson advanced on the deputies faster than the deputies could move. One deputy can be heard pleading for Thompson to stop. One deputy then fired his service weapon multiple times, striking Thompson. Thomson fell to the ground and initially was not moving.
A deputy then announced that he is going to get the medical kit. But before there was time, Thompson moved to his knees while still wielding a knife. Deputies gave additional orders and pleas for him to drop the knife so that they could offer medical assistance, but Thompson did not cooperate. Thompson collapsed, and the deputies approached him. They removed the knife from his reach and handcuffed him. It was at this time that the deputies realized that the knives were long saw blades used for a type of reciprocating saw. VPD arrived on scene while the deputies were handcuffing Thompson and the officers began first aid measures until medics arrived.
Thompson was transported by ambulance to a hospital where he died.
The Solano County Major Crimes Task Force responded to the scene per protocol and began their investigation into the officer involved shooting.
Any loss of life is tragic. Our condolences go out to the family, friends and all affected by this shooting.