HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009_09_24_09_Shooting Review Stockdale Tower
BAKERSFIELD POLICE DEPARTMENT PRESS RELEASE William Rector, Chief of Police ________________________________________________________________________ Contact: Detective Mary DeGeare Public
Information Officer 661-326-3803 mdegeare@Bakersfieldpd.us For Immediate Release September 24, 2009 On 9/23/09, the Bakersfield Police Department Critical Incident Review Board met and
reviewed the facts and circumstances of the officer involved shooting that occurred on 9/16/09 in the parking garage at the Stockdale Tower, 5060 California Avenue. The Review Board
concluded that all shots fired by Officer Santiago Baltazar were within department policy and with state and federal guidelines. The Review Board consisted of Assistant Chief Bryan Lynn,
Assistant Chief Lyle Martin, Captain Kevin Stokes, Captain Robert Bivens, Captain Greg Williamson and Captain Joe Bianco. Police Chief Bill Rector has reviewed the investigation and
concurred with the Review Board’s findings. Officer Baltazar has been cleared to return to duty. Original Release September 16, 2009 On 9/16/09, at 9:17 a.m., Bakersfield Police officers
responded to a report of a possible burglary in progress on top of the parking garage adjacent to the Stockdale Tower, 5060 California Avenue. Witnesses inside the upper floors of the
Tower observed three suspects transferring property from one vehicle to another and at least one of the suspects was wearing gloves. Officers Erik Forbus and Verion Coleman arrived first
and observed the following three suspects on top of the garage: Dennis Barton 37 Andrew Eugene Williams 24 Tara Marie Monti 20
Officer Forbus detained Williams and Monti who were in a black GMC truck but when Officer Coleman attempted to contact Barton, he drove away in a white Jeep Wrangler which was previously
reported stolen. As Barton proceeded downward toward the exit, Motorcycle Officer Santiago Baltazar entered the garage and heard the radio traffic that indicated Barton was fleeing in
the Jeep as well as the squealing tires from the Jeep as Barton approached him. Officer Baltazar got off of his motorcycle and moved away from it as Barton approached, although this
was initially miscommunicated to the media at the scene, Barton did not strike the officer but narrowly missed the officer and the motorcycle as he disregarded the officer’s orders and
continued to flee. As Barton passed Officer Baltazar he collided with parked cars causing the jeep to spin 180 degrees and stop. Barton then drove in reverse to get away, striking two
more cars causing the Jeep to stop. Officer Baltazar approached Barton and the Jeep, ordering him to to exit. Barton instead accelerated toward Officer Baltazar who fired his duty weapon
at Barton multiple times and jumped out of the way to avoid being struck. After Barton passed Officer Baltazar he struck the police motorcycle and another parked car which incapacitated
the Jeep. Barton exited the Jeep but refused to obey the officer’s commands. Officer Baltazar transitioned from his firearm to his Taser and when Barton continued to ignore his orders,
Officer Baltazar shot Barton with Taser darts. Only one dart struck Barton and the Taser was ineffective. Barton ran past Officer Baltazar and out of the parking garage. Officer Baltazar
pursued Barton and he and other officers were able to take Barton into custody on the center divider in the 5000 block of California Avenue. Williams, Monti and Barton are all in custody
and the investigation is continuing. The Jeep and a Toyota Scion were taken during a residential burglary from a gated community in Seven Oaks early this morning. The investigation into
that offense is continuing. Officer Baltazar has been with the Bakersfield Police Department since January 2005. He will be placed on routine administrative leave pending the investigation
and internal review.