City of Martinez Press Release Re: Police Officers Terminated From Velvet Dispensary Shooting Incident
Release of Additional Records Related to Officer-Involved Shooting on August 18, 2023
Post Date:03/07/2025 4:41 PM
The Martinez Police Department is releasing additional records, including reports, videos and photos, related to the officer-involved shooting that occurred on August 18, 2023, at the Velvet dispensary, 4808 Sunrise Drive in Martinez.
On September 28, 2023, the Department released some audio and video, including body-worn camera footage, from the officer-involved shooting. At that time, the full length of the body-worn camera footage and other records were withheld in accordance with the law so as not to interfere with the California Department of Justice’s (DOJ) investigation and the separate administrative investigation into this incident for policy compliance. The DOJ’s investigation is still underway, and it is unknown when that investigation will be completed and released to the public. The administrative investigators are awaiting the DOJ’s findings prior to concluding their investigation.
California law requires that records must be released within 18 months of the incident, therefore, records in the Department’s possession are now being made public. The records provide additional information and insight into what occurred but are not the entire body of evidence collected by the DOJ and under their consideration. The newly released records include transcripts of interviews with the officers involved, detailing the factors they considered in their decision-making that night. In the transcripts being released, officers cited the display of a gun by a vehicle occupant, the vehicle striking an officer, and its movement toward other officers as factors in their actions. It was previously disclosed that a gun was found inside the vehicle.
Because criminal and administrative investigations are still ongoing, no final determinations have been made regarding the officers’ use of deadly force and their compliance with Department policies. The City awaits the findings of the DOJ and continues to fully cooperate with their investigation, including providing all requested documents and information.
Separate Misconduct Investigation
In the days following the August 18, 2023 incident, the Martinez Police Department became aware of alleged misconduct that occurred at the scene, after the shots were fired. One allegation related to an officer who arrived at the scene, after the shooting, kneeing the handcuffed suspect (who had been a passenger in the vehicle), as the officer pulled him away from the car. Another allegation related to this same officer assisting two of the officers involved in the shooting with concealing a prohibited knife that was carried by one of the officers prior to investigators arriving. The Department initiated investigations into these allegations for policy compliance and information was shared with the DOJ and District Attorney’s Office.
The administrative investigations into the kneeing and knife incidents resulted in sustained findings of policy violations by the officers involved. The records from these administrative investigations are included in the new release of records. IA23-08 contains the investigation into the unreasonable use of force and IA23-07 contains the investigation into the concealing of the knife.
After completing the required procedural steps, in January 2024, the Chief of Police terminated the employment of the officer who struck the handcuffed suspect and participated in concealing the knife. This termination was upheld by both the City Manager and the Civil Service Commission as part of independent personnel hearings, and the findings were reported to the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST).
The probationary officers involved in the knife incident were released from probationary employment prior to the completion of that investigation so disciplinary action was not applicable.
“It is disappointing that misconduct occurred at the scene of this incident after the shooting and understandably adds a layer of complexity to the officer-involved shooting investigation,” said Chief Andrew White. “Once we learned of the misconduct, we took immediate action, conducting thorough investigations, and ultimately imposing termination as a disciplinary measure. As a department, we are committed to maintaining the highest standards of professional conduct.”
Release of Additional Records
Due to the volume of records and required redactions, the Department will release records on a rolling basis. The bulk of the material is being released in this initial batch. This process is expected to take up to 30 days, though timelines may vary depending on the complexity and volume of the records.
Records will be posted to the Police Department’s SB1421 page at
https://www.cityofmartinez.org/departments/police/transparency/public-records-sb-1421.
“I expect a Police Department culture that values ethics, accountability, and integrity, so the police can continue to earn and maintain the trust and respect of the Martinez community. I have complete confidence in our Chief of Police and City Manager and want to express my appreciation of them for conducting the administrative investigations in a fair and effective manner and taking immediate action where required,” said Martinez Mayor Brianne Zorn. “The overall investigation, however, is complex and involves multiple agencies. The City of Martinez awaits the Department of Justice’s conclusion to this investigation so our community can reach a resolution to this incident.”