Naked man in critical condition, shot by SJPD after pursuit
SAN JOSE, Calif. (KTVU) - A call for help about a naked man standing in a street, led to a police chase Friday that ended with San Jose Police opening fire on the suspect. Evidence markers and police vehicles surrounded the suspect's bullet-riddled Dodge pickup truck on Stevens Creek Boulevard at the VIlla Shopping center Friday.
Police say the suspect was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries.
Police spokesman Sgt. Enrique Garcia said the officers received a call for help about 1:30 p.m. about a naked man standing on Eva Court near Valerie Drive in Campbell and acting erratically.
One woman, who did not want to be named, says she and her child saw the man with no clothes on and were frightened when he approached them.
"He was totally naked and got out of the car and started walking toward our side. And my friend parked her car on this side. Then he started chasing us," the woman said.
The witness said she and a few other families ran to a public park across the street.
"And then he started screaming come back come back," she said.
Neighbors say they believe the man rents a room in the area and had seen him earlier.
"There was some man standing there and he waved and I waved and I went off to my job," said Krista Johnson, a neighbor.
Witnesses say they saw the truck being pursued by about half a dozen police vehicles on Stevens Creek Boulevard.
"The truck has got sparks and everything flying. the tires are gone," said John Sorenson.
Police say the chase began about 5 miles away when they got a call at 1:30 p.m. San Jose police say when they arrived, the man got in his vehicle.
"He tried to flee the scene and rammed a San Jose Police car," said Enrique Garcia, San Jose Police Department.
Police say the suspect's vehicle collided with another car during the chase before stopping at the Safeway parking lot.
"I saw smoke coming out of his engine. and as I pulled up closer I started hearing...popping sounds which I saw was gunfire," said James Shaw, an employee with United Towing who said he witnessed the shooting from across the street.
"Our officers attempted to make the car stop and take the suspect into custody. During that encounter multiple officers fired at the suspect. He was struck at least once," said Sgt. Garcia.
Police say the suspect was taken to the hospital with life threatening injuries.
This is the first San Jose officer-involved shooting of 2017. No officers were injured, according to Sgt. Garcia.
Police officials say the officers directly involved in the shooting will be placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.