Man shot to death by Gilroy Police after confrontation

GILROY, Calif. (KTVU - A man was shot and killed by Gilroy police Monday night after allegedly confronting officers who were responding to a domestic violence call.

However, at this point investigators cannot confirm whether or not the man was armed.

The shooting happened around 7 p.m. Monday night on the 6800 block of Filbro Drive in Southwest Gilroy, right across the street from Gilroy High School.

According to Captain Joseph Deras of the Gilroy Police Department, they received several 9-1-1 calls about a violent struggle happening in an apartment building.

When officers arrived on scene and approached the complex they heard sounds consistent with a violent struggle.

“The officers approached the apartment complex, immediately they were confronted by a male suspect who was leaving that apartment where the sounds of that struggle had been taking place, “ said Capt. Deras.  “Some interaction occurred where the officer felt he needed to discharge his weapon. He fired at the suspect, struck him and the suspect went to the ground.”

Investigators say, the officers applied medical aid to the man, but he died from his injuries.

Investigators are not sure how many shots the officer fired, and would not confirm whether or not the man was armed.

“Clearly there was some type of threat the suspect posed for the officer to feel either for himself that he was in danger or his partner officers or the woman that had previously been assaulted, so he felt that he was compelled to use his weapon to defend any one of those parties, “ said Captain Deras.

The identity and age of the deceased man has not been released. 

The exact relationship between the alleged assault victim and the man has not been confirmed, but police believe they were in a romantic relationship.  The woman is being interviewed and was not taken to the hospital after this encounter.

Captain Deras says the officer who opened fire is a 4 year veteran, was not hurt, and will be placed on administrative leave while the investigation is conducted.