Elk Grove Police Department Press Release Re: Fatal Shooting of Jonnie Bartholomew
A vehicle pursuit that began just north of the city shortly before midnight ended in an officer-involved shooting at 69th Street and Lemon Hill Avenue in Sacramento. The driver was pronounced deceased at the scene.
At approximately 11:45 PM on Saturday, February 1, 2025, an Elk Grove Police Department officer attempted to stop a Ford Explorer with no license plates near Auberry Drive and Spengler Drive. The driver, an adult male, refused to stop and led officers on a pursuit through the southern portion of Sacramento County. Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office deputies later joined the pursuit to assist.
As the pursuit reached the area of Sunrise Greens Drive and Elsie Avenue, the suspect fired at the pursuing officers and deputies, striking a Sheriff’s Office patrol vehicle. The pursuit continued northbound on Highway 99 before the suspect exited onto westbound Florin Road.
At 69th Street and Lemon Hill Avenue, the suspect attempted a U-turn. An Elk Grove Police Department officer used their patrol vehicle to ram the suspect’s vehicle. A second Elk Grove officer exited his patrol vehicle and fired his service weapon at the suspect. The officer who rammed the vehicle also discharged his service weapon. The suspect was struck, while a female passenger inside the vehicle was not injured.
As officers removed the suspect from the vehicle to render medical aid, a handgun was recovered. Despite life-saving efforts, the suspect was pronounced deceased. No officers or deputies were injured during the incident.
Since the officer-involved shooting occurred within the City of Sacramento, the Sacramento Police Department will lead the investigation. Sacramento Police Detectives, Crime Scene Investigators, and Elk Grove Police Department Detectives, along with the Elk Grove Police Department’s Professional Standards Bureau, responded to the scene to begin their investigations.
Additionally, the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office is conducting a separate investigation regarding the patrol vehicle being struck by the suspect’s gunfire, as this occurred in Sacramento County.
The Sacramento County Coroner’s Office will make identification of the deceased.
Investigators are in the process of collecting all available video footage, including body-worn cameras and in-car cameras, and we will work to release the footage as soon as possible.
As per standard protocol, two independent reviews of the incident will take place—one by the Elk Grove Police Department’s Professional Standards Bureau and another by the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office. The Elk Grove Police Department officers involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave in accordance with department policy.