Surveillance videos show Bay Area police officer shooting an armed man, Rogers Demarea Vaughn III, in the back.
A disturbing video released Friday shows an American Canyon police officer shooting an armed man in the back, and there are serious questions by some people about whether that shooting was justified.
Napa County Sheriff’s Office Press Release Re: Rogers Demarea Vaughn III Shooting
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**WARNING – graphic video of Officer Involved Shooting**
On January 11th, 2024, Napa County Sheriff’s Deputy Josh Coleman was involved in an Officer Involved Shooting (OIS), which occurred after a vehicle and foot pursuit. The pursuit began in American Canyon (Napa County) and ended in Vallejo (Solano County). At least two Vallejo residents’ Ring Cameras captured the shooting. The Ring Camera footage was submitted, by the residents, directly to the Solano County Major Crimes Task Force, who conducted the investigation.
Please note, the Napa County Sheriff’s Office repeatedly asked the Solano County Major Crimes Task Force and Napa County District Attorney for a copy of the Ring Camera video, however our video request was denied by both departments. The denial was pursuant to Penal Code Section 832.7 because of an ongoing investigation and prosecution. Therefore, the OIS video footage released on March 7th, by the Sheriff’s Office, did not include Ring Camera footage.
Fortunately, on March 20th, the Napa County Sheriff’s Office obtained the Ring video, which was critical because it’s the only video that captured the shooting. Having access to this video allows the Sheriff’s Office to share the OIS video along with accurate context.
FACTS
– The two suspects involved in the pursuit were armed with 3 illegal loaded handguns with extended magazines.
– A fleeing suspect, holding a firearm, is still a very dangerous suspect.
– Deputy Coleman gave the suspect multiple warnings i.e. “Drop the gun, I see you, I’m going to shoot you.”
– The suspect, who was shot, suffered non-life threatening injuries and was given immediate medical care. The subjects actions during the vehicle pursuit are considered a violent felony.
Both suspects have pled guilty:
Demarea Rogers Vaughn – Illegal Handgun Possession (Felony), Resisting Arrest (Misdemeanor)
Amarion Jozan Hill – Evading a Peace Officer with willful disregard for the safety of others. (Felony) Illegal Handgun Possession (Felony), Resisting Arrest (Misdemeanor)
In addition to the investigations conducted by Solano County and the Napa County District Attorney’s Office, the Napa County Sheriff’s Office will review the incident to determine if there were any policy violations.