08/09/2017
Here is the report from a fairly recent incident we needed to handle for a client. The following report is provided with the client's permission although all identifying information has been redacted to protect the client, victims, witnesses, and suspects:
SYNOPSIS:
On 04/01/2017 I was posted at the patio entrance door checking IDs at [CLIENT LOCATION REDACTED]. Two groups of three (3) adult males were being asked to leave by the establishment staff and I was called in to assist and keep the peace. An altercation broke out resulting in two injuries and two arrests.
ORIGIN:
At approximately 0120 I was posted at the patio entrance door at [CLIENT LOCATION REDACTED] checking ID and maintain a visible security presence. I was approached by a white male adult patron. The patron informed me of an argument and possible fight inside the [ESTABLISHMENT]. I went inside to investigate and help de-escalate any possible situation.
INVESTIGATION / NARRATIVE:
Upon entering the building I noticed one of the staff members, [MALE EMPLOYEE #1], escorting a group of three (3) White Male Adults (WMA #1, WMA #2, & WMA #3) to the exit. I stood aside to let them pass and began to follow [MALE EMPLOYEE #1] and the three WMAs out to maintain order and provide for the safety of the remaining patrons and staff members. WMA #2 & WMA #3 were shouting and acting belligerent toward [MALE EMPLOYEE #1]. WMA #1 seemed to be attempting to convince WMA #2 & WMA #3 to leave. Upon exiting onto the patio [MALE EMPLOYEE #1] was joined and assisted by two (2) other employees that were in the establishment on their off time, [MALE EMPLOYEE #2] and [MALE EMPLOYEE #3]. At this time another employee, [FEMALE EMPLOYEE #1], called out my name from behind. I turned to see [FEMALE EMPLOYEE #1] standing near three (3) Hispanic Male Adults (HMA #1, HMA #2, & HMA #3). [FEMALE EMPLOYEE #1] said, “These too”. For clarification, I asked her if they needed to leave as well and [FEMALE EMPLOYEE #1] responded in the affirmative. I approached the three (3) HMAs and informed them that they were being asked to leave as well. The HMAs gave little protest and started heading toward the exit to the patio. I positioned myself between the three (3) HMAs and three (3) WMAs so as to keep them all in my sight. The three (3) WMAs were on the patio but not yet out of the establishment.
Upon exiting onto the patio I noticed HMA #2 place his right-hand palm facing inward at the front of his waist two times while maintaining a fixed expressionless gaze on WMA #2. Based on my training and experience I believed he was attempting to protect or otherwise guard a concealed weapon under his blue plaid flannel shirt. HMA #2 was approximately 5’ 9” tall with short dark hair and olive/brown complexion wearing a blue plaid flannel shirt that hung approximately 4” below his waistline. I focused my attention on HMA #2 paying particular attention to his hands as I placed my right hand on the back of my holstered side arm, told him I believed him to be armed, and instructed him to keep his hands up where I can see them as he moved toward the door. HMA #1 attempted to get between myself and HMA #2 two times and I used my left arm to block his body while watching both WMA #1 & WMA #2's hands. I maintained my right-hand grip on my holstered side arm. HMA #3 maintained a position on the other side of HMA #2 and remained cooperative as I issued instructions to move to the exit.
Upon reaching the patio exit the three WMAs were outside and slowly making their way to the parking lot under the direction of [MALE EMPLOYEE #1] and [MALE EMPLOYEE #3]. [MALE EMPLOYEE #2] was at the front door. At this point I was positioned behind and to the left of HMA #2 as he was facing the door and [MALE EMPLOYEE #2]. He lowered his hands and began to lift up on his shirt with his left hand. I heard [MALE EMPLOYEE #2] yell, “Knife! He has a knife!” [MALE EMPLOYEE #2] grabbed HMA #2's right hand at his waist as HMA #2 attempted to draw his weapon while continuing to keep an expressionless gaze fixed on WMA #2. I pushed HMA #1 aside to my left with my left arm to create distance between myself and HMA #1 while also taking a step back with my right foot before drawing my side arm and pointing it at HMA #2 as I yelled, “Everyone get back!”. I then instructed HMA #2 to put his hands up in the air. HMA #2 complied with my instruction and [MALE EMPLOYEE #2] pulled the knife from HMA #2's waistband to secure it. [MALE EMPLOYEE #2] moved with the knife in hand to my right side. The knife was a Bowie style approximately 12” in length and 2.5” at its widest point with a full tang to the bottom of the hilt.
All three (3) HMAs exited and quickly left the area as my attention was diverted to the three (3) WMAs at the end of the brick walkway leading to the parking lot. WMA #2 and WMA #3 were yelling at [MALE EMPLOYEE #1], [MALE EMPLOYEE #3], and several patrons that were now assisting [MALE EMPLOYEE #1] and [MALE EMPLOYEE #3] with blocking entry to the establishment. WMA #2 & WMA #3 were shouting at [MALE EMPLOYEE #1] and [MALE EMPLOYEE #3] about being veterans that have been in combat and that they would “kick your [[MALE EMPLOYEE #1] & [MALE EMPLOYEE #3]] ass”. Based on the statement of their military background, their overtly aggressive behavior, combative stance, and pushing to get past [MALE EMPLOYEE #1] and [MALE EMPLOYEE #3] I pulled my Taser and aimed it at WMA #2. I stated to WMA #2, “Bro just leave! Just Go!” WMA #2 turned his attention to me and shouted, “What?! You gonna tase a veteran?!” I replied, “If I have to. Just go! Do you realize I likely saved your life tonight? That guy you wanted to fight had a foot long Bowie knife. Just leave!” WMA #2 then opened the top of his right front pocket to reveal a folding knife saying, “So I have a knife too. What are you going to do shoot a veteran?!” I stated, “Not if that knife stays in your pocket. Now just go, leave!” I said to WMA #1, “You need to get your drunk friends out of here the Sheriffs are on their way and they are just being stupid at this point and are going to get in trouble.” WMA #3 started yelling about being a veteran and that he would “kick [MALE EMPLOYEE #3]’s ass”.
WMA #3 swung his right fist at [MALE EMPLOYEE #3] but failed to connect the strike. As WMA #3 attempted to punch [MALE EMPLOYEE #3] with his left fist [MALE EMPLOYEE #3] pushed WMA #3 away in self-defense causing WMA #3 to stumble backward a few feet. I transferred my Taser to my left hand keeping it trained on WMA #2 as he was being held back by [MALE EMPLOYEE #1] and now [MALE EMPLOYEE #2]. I pulled out my OC Spray with my right hand. As WMA #3 began to take another right handed punch at [MALE EMPLOYEE #3] while advancing on him I sprayed WMA #3 in the face with my OC. I sprayed him across his eyebrows and down across his eyes, nose, and mouth. WMA #3 backed away across the parking lot approximately 30 to 40 feet while yelling, “F**k you!” repeatedly as loud as it would seem he could manage. WMA #1 was able to get WMA #2 back to where WMA #3 was. I put my OC Spray back in its holster and remained at the edge of the establishment property.
WMA #2 & WMA #3 repeatedly feigned advancing upon me and then backed away staying just out of range of my Taser. [BYSTANDER #1], the owner of the neighboring [BUSINESS #1], was near the WMAs and attempting to talk them down when I witnessed WMA #3 punch [BYSTANDER #1] in the face knocking him to the ground. I am not sure if [BYSTANDER #1] lost consciousness. At this point I approached WMA #3 with [MALE EMPLOYEE #3], [MALE EMPLOYEE #2], and [MALE EMPLOYEE #1] as all three (3) WMAs retreated to an area near a black Nissan G35 sedan with out of state plates [REDACTED] parked in the Southern partition of the parking lot in front of the neighboring [BUSINESS #2]. As we approached, an unknown male wearing dark clothing struck WMA #1 causing him to stumble backward and fall over a curb into the center divide between the North and South partitions of the [BUSINESS #2] Southern parking lot. WMA #1 was knocked unconscious and several individuals rushed to his aid including [MALE EMPLOYEE #1], [MALE EMPLOYEE #3], and [MALE EMPLOYEE #2]. Upon reaching WMA #3 I informed him I was placing him under citizen’s arrest. I stated, “You are under arrest! I am placing you under citizen’s arrest pursuant to California Penal Code 240 and 242 assault and battery. You are not free to leave.” My admonishment was met with profanity laden protest from WMA #3 and WMA #2 who were standing to the left side of the Nissan G35.
[MALE EMPLOYEE #1] stated to me, “Tase him he has a knife.” Speaking about WMA #2. I was unable to identify what was in WMA #2's hand as a knife. [MALE EMPLOYEE #1] stated that he had a knife a second time. I aimed my Taser at WMA #2 and stated, “Just drop it!” WMA #2 turned toward me and I was able to see a folding knife in his right hand as [MALE EMPLOYEE #1] stated a third time, “Tase him he has a knife.” The knife appeared to be partially extended. WMA #2 was standing about 10-15 feet from me and took two steps advancing toward me as he raised his hand holding the knife. I deployed my Taser striking WMA #2 causing him to drop the knife. WMA #3 caught WMA #2 as he fell backward and grabbed the Taser leads breaking them. I informed WMA #2 & WMA #3 that they were both under citizen’s arrest. I stated, “It is my intention to place you both under citizen’s arrest for assault with a deadly weapon [pointing at WMA #2] and assault and battery [pointing at WMA #3]. Both WMAs retreated to the rear of the G35 sedan. Believing that they may be attempting to retrieve a weapon I kept my Taser in my left hand as I unlatched the hood on my sidearm holster and placed my hand on my side arm in preparation to draw my weapon if either of them presented a weapon. WMA #2 headed to the passenger side and entered the sedan as WMA #3 entered the driver side. Neither one appeared to have any other weapons in their hands as they entered the vehicle. WMA #3 started the engine as [MALE EMPLOYEE #3] took a photo of the rear license plate and moved out of the way. WMA #3 reversed out of his parking space chirping his tires. He then sped off and out of the parking lot onto Westbound [MAJOR STREET] leaving their friend WMA #1 bleeding and unconscious laying in the rocks. Upon exiting the parking lot the G35 nearly collided with another white car traveling in the same direction. A Sheriff’s Deputy sped past in pursuit of the Nissan G35 driven by WMA #3 with WMA #2 as a passenger.
The wives of [MALE EMPLOYEE #3] and [MALE EMPLOYEE #2] attended to WMA #1 until paramedics could arrive.
STATEMENTS:
N/A
EVIDENCE:
One (1) large Bowie style knife approximately 12” in length and 2.5” at its widest point. – [PROVIDED TO SHERIFF DEPUTIES].
One (1) black folding pocket knife approximately 4” in length and 1” at its widest point. - [PROVIDED TO SHERIFF DEPUTIES].
One (1) photo of the rear license plate of a black Nissan G35 driven by WMA #3 – [PROVIDED TO SHERIFF DEPUTIES].
One (1) photo of the security officer’s uniform worn during the incident. – [PROVIDED TO SHERIFF DEPUTIES].
INJURIES:
WMA #1 sustained a head laceration and loss of consciousness.
[BYSTANDER #1] sustained bruising to his face and possible loss of consciousness.
PROPERTY DAMAGE:
N/A
FOLLOW UP:
N/A
RELATED REPORTS:
[CONFIDENTIAL]
WITNESS INFORMATION:
[CONFIDENTIAL]
