Video released in deadly shooting by Fremont police

Fremont police released body-cam and dash-cam video Friday in a deadly confrontation with a man who had vowed to shoot officers.

Three Fremont officers shot and killed Michael Felch, 30, on April 18 outside Washington Hospital after authorities say the mentally-ill man shot at an officer on patrol.

"This is a case where our officers were victim of an armed suspect who intentionally ambushed them and tried to kill them," Fremont Police Chief Kimberly Petersen said at a City Hall news conference.

Just released dash cam video shows Officer Ryan Lobue driving in his patrol car  when Felch runs up and opens fire on Civic Center Drive near Mowry Avenue.

"I've just got shots fired at me across from Washington Hospital," Lobue told dispatch.

The officer made a U-turn and stopped his car. The suspect again opens fire, prompting Lobue to shoot him with his rifle.

K-9 Officers James Taylor and Jennifer Allsup then arrived together in another patrol vehicle.

Allsup, a former Alameda County sheriff's deputy, yelled at the suspect, "Keep your hands up!"

At first, the suspect, while lying on the ground,does put his hands out, as if he's surrendering.. But then he moves toward his gun, prompting the officers to shoot and kill him.

Felch died at the scene after being shot 10 or 11 times.

Police recovered a .40-caliber handgun underneath his body.

KTVU exclusively learned that the suspect had previously made threats to kill police officers, at one point saying "God had instructed him to kill law enforcement." Authorities say he also said he'd "shoot the first cop he saw."

"It's clear that Felch had a deadly vendetta towards police officers," Petersen said. "No officer likes using deadly force. The men and women who go into law enforcement do so because they're selfless and they want to be guardians and protectors of the community."

The suspect's criminal history includes battery of a police officer and resisting arrest. KTVU has learned that he's been diagnosed with schizophrenia.

The chief said, "His mother did say that he was troubled, that possibly he had some mental health issues. Of course, our officers couldn't possibly know that as they were responding."

The chief also said the suspect's mother was devastated by what happened and specifically asked that the footage not be released. Petersen said the situation was an "unintended consequence" of a new state law requiring that police release such videos, even if it hurts the family of those killed by police.

The shooting remains under investigation by Fremont police and the Alameda County district attorney's office.