HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010_06_1_OIS Review_1701 William F Halsey
BAKERSFIELD POLICE DEPARTMENT PRESS RELEASE Greg Williamson, Chief of Police ________________________________________________________________________ Contact: Sergeant Mary DeGeare Public
Information Officer 661-326-3803 mdegeare@Bakersfieldpd.us FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 1, 2010 On 5/28/10, the Bakersfield Police Department Critical Incident Review Board met and reviewed
the facts and circumstances surrounding the officer involved shooting which occurred on 5/23/10, at 12:06 a.m., in the 1700 block of William F. Halsey Avenue. The Review Board concluded
that the shots fired by Officer Timothy Berchtold were within department policy and within state and federal guidelines. The Review Board consisted of Assistant Chief Lyle Martin, Captain
Kevin Stokes, Captain Robert Bivens, Captain Joe Bianco, and Captain Hajir Nuriddin. Police Chief Greg Williamson reviewed the investigation and concurred with the Review Board’s findings.
Original Release May 24, 2010 On 5/22/10, at 11:04 p.m. Bakersfield Police received received a report of an argument and shots heard near the apartments in the 1700 block of William
F. Halsey Avenue. Officers Allen Ronk and Timothy Berchtold contacted a male subject at 1701 William F. Halsey Avenue who informed them that his friend, John Jessie Soliz III was responsible
for the shots being fired. This subject told the officers that Soliz was armed with a large caliber rifle, was making threats to harm himself and also told him he was going to “go on
a rampage.” The subject indicated Soliz was currently inside the apartment #C.
Officer Ronk obtained Soliz’ cell phone number from the subject and established phone contact with Soliz. During a series of phone calls with Soliz, Officer Ronk made repeated requests
to Soliz to put down the firearm and surrender. Soliz rejected these offers and refused to comply with Officer Ronk’s orders to exit the apartment unarmed. For nearly an hour Officer
Ronk and a family member engaged in separate phone conversations with Soliz. Assisting officers formed a perimeter around the apartment and adjacent apartments were evacuated. Officer
Berchtold took up a position outside Soliz’ fenced back yard. Shortly after the last phone call with family members ended, Soliz exited his apartment armed with the rifle. Officer Berchtold
illuminated Soliz from outside the fence and ordered Soliz to show him his hands several times, at which point, Soliz turned toward Officer Berchtold and raised the rifle pointing it
toward him. Officer Berchtold fired several times at Soliz, from his AR-15 rifle, while backing up to obtain cover. Soliz was struck in the torso and died at the scene. Officer Berchtold
has been placed on paid administrative leave.