Richmond Police release video of fatal officer-involved shooting.
Richmond Police released bodycam footage from a deadly officer-involved shooting on June 28 on Sanderling Island in Point Richmond. Police shot and killed a person who allegedly brandished a firearm while officers were serving a search warrant.
The Richmond Police Department Press Release
Officer Involved Shooting Update – On June 28, 2023, officers from the Richmond Police Department were involved in an officer-involved shooting in the 1200 block of Sanderling Island, Richmond CA. This press release provides additional information on the incidents preceding the shooting and what occurred during the shooting.
On June 18, 2023, at 8:47 pm, officers responded to a report of a subject brandishing a firearm from a vehicle at pedestrians in the 900 block of West Cutting Blvd. The victims provided a description of the suspect, his vehicle, and the firearm that was brandished. The suspect fled before officers arrived and was not identified at that time.
On June 26, 2023, at 1:32 am, officers responded to another report of a subject brandishing a firearm at pedestrians in the 100 block of Washington Ave. During this incident, the suspect discharged the firearm. One of the victims in this incident identified Jose Martinez, a 63-year-old resident of Richmond, as the suspect.
Detectives conducted a follow-up investigation and developed probable cause to arrest Jose Martinez for brandishing a firearm, discharging a firearm in a negligent manner, and being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.
Officers also identified Jose Martinez as the suspect in the brandishing incident on June 18, 2023.
On June 28, 2023, at 4:09 am, officers located Jose Martinez on I-580 near Regatta Blvd. Officers stopped his vehicle and took him into custody. He admitted to possessing a firearm, and a firearm was located in his vehicle.
Jose Martinez has numerous prior felony arrests which would prohibit him from legally possessing a firearm.
Jose Martinez admitted to detectives that he lived at a residence in the 1200 block of Sanderling Island. He also admitted to possessing additional firearms that he stored in his bedroom.
Detectives authored and were granted a search warrant to retrieve the additional firearms and evidence from his residence.
On June 28, 2023, at 9:08 am detectives arrived at the residence in the 1200 block of Sanderling Island to serve the warrant. Officers approached the residence and knocked on the door making numerous announcements identifying themselves as police officers while demanding entry into the residence. Officers continued to make numerous announcements prior to entering the residence, utilizing a key that was provided by Jose Martinez.
Officers then slowly and methodically searched the interior of the two-story residence for occupants. During this time, officers continued to announce they are from the police department while demanding that any occupants show themselves.
Officers approached a closed bedroom door, which they opened while they announced themselves as being “Richmond Police”. As officers opened the door, officers located Kevin McDonald seated on a bed, armed with an AR-15-style pistol. Kevin McDonald raised his weapon toward officers, at which time an officer-involved shooting occurred.
Officers provided medical aid to Kevin McDonald, who was pronounced deceased, by responding medical personnel.
Kevin McDonald was a 66-year-old Richmond resident. He has prior felony convictions that prohibit him from possessing firearms.
A subsequent search of the residence resulted in detectives locating a total of 53 firearms, including 23 pistols, 8 revolvers, 20 rifles, and 2 shotguns. A live hand grenade along with a large quantity of ammunition were seized.
Materials to manufacture illegal firearms were also seized.
On June 30, 2023, the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office filed felony charges against Jose Martinez for nine felonies. These charges include assault with a deadly weapon, brandishing a firearm, and illegally possessing a firearm. Jose Martinez remains in custody on these charges.
This officer-involved shooting is being investigated as part of a joint investigation by the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office and the Richmond Police Department.
We have released one of the officers body worn camera footage as well as pictures of a portion of the weapons recovered from the residence.