Man in critical condition after Berkeley police shooting
At one point, the man racked a shotgun and threatened to shoot officers if they approached him, according to radio traffic reviewed by The Scanner.
Police shot a man in Berkeley on Sunday morning following reports of a domestic disturbance involving a woman screaming for help, authorities say.
An officer shot the man, a 33-year-old Berkeley resident, after he came outside with a firearm and failed to respond to efforts to negotiate with him, Berkeley police said.
Just before publication, BPD confirmed to The Scanner that the woman who had been with the resident was safe.
The incident began shortly before 7 a.m. when police were called to the 1700 block of University Avenue, at McGee Avenue, for a domestic disturbance, according to radio traffic reviewed by The Scanner.
"There's a female yelling, 'forgive me' and 'I'm sorry,' with a male yelling … as well," a dispatcher advised police.
Police responded "Code 3" to the scene after a witness heard a woman being choked and saying, "I can't breathe."
When Berkeley police tried to make contact with the resident, he instead racked a shotgun and refused to come outside, according to emergency dispatches.
"He's threatening to shoot us if we approach," an officer advised over the radio.
At that point, at about 7:15 a.m., police moved their communications to an encrypted radio channel used for tactical operations.
About 30 minutes later, the Berkeley Fire Department advised over the radio that it was going "Code 3," with lights and sirens, to Highland Hospital, the regional trauma center.
Send tips and photos to The Scanner.
Police sent a Nixle alert at about 8:30 a.m. advising people to avoid the area of University and McAgee avenues "until further notice" due to police activity.
"This remains an active and ongoing investigation," BPD said in a prepared statement at about 10:30 a.m. "We ask the public to avoid the area of University Avenue and McGee Avenue while investigators continue to process the scene."
"The investigation is being led by the Berkeley Police Department Homicide Division and Internal Affairs Bureau," police wrote. "In accordance with standard protocol, the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office is also conducting a concurrent investigation. Per departmental protocol, the officer has been placed on paid administrative leave."
The last Berkeley police shooting took place in November 2023 while officers were responding to an auto burglary report on Grayson Street. The suspect did not survive.
Berkeley police also fatally shot a man during a domestic violence incident at the Toyota service center in Albany in September 2023.
This story will be updated as additional information becomes available.
Update, 12:40 p.m. Police are now evacuating the building after finding a suspicious package. Stay tuned for updates.
Emilie Raguso
Update, 11:40 p.m. Berkeley police ultimately confirmed that the item was not an explosive device and rendered it safe.
Officers had left the area by about 6 p.m.
The man who was shot remains alive at Highland Hospital, police said.
