San Pablo Police Department Press Release
In an effort to foster transparency and trust with our community, the San Pablo Police Department is releasing body-worn camera footage from the officer-involved shooting incident which occurred on September 8, 2023.
Incident Summary:
On Friday, September 8, 2023, at 1:39 p.m., San Pablo Police received a 9-1-1 call from a female reporting party in a residence in the 2600 block of Dover Avenue. The reporting party requested officers assist with a mental health evaluation for her husband, who was later identified as 44-year-old Andre Smith. The reporting party said Smith was showing signs of schizophrenia. The reporting party was concerned about how Smith would react to the police response. Upon arrival, Smith had locked him inside a room of the residence. Officers made attempts to communicate with Smith, but he refused. Officers learned Smith did not live at the residence with the family. The reporting party said Smith was not acting violent at that time and agreed to call the police if he exited and needed further assistance.
At 2:52 p.m., the reporting party called 9-1-1 asking for the police to return, as Smith had exited the room and was harassing her. The reporting party said Smith was outside of the house, and she did not want him to return. As the Dispatcher was on the phone, Smith was overheard in the background yelling comments that he would kill police officers and make them kill him. Officers learned family members and children were still inside the residence. Officers arrived on the scene and began communicating with the Smith in the front yard. Smith refused to listen to the officer’s orders and, at one point, concealed himself along the side yard of the residence. At one point, Smith began throwing brick pieces at the officers. The officers deployed less lethal measures with Tasers and bean bag rounds. These proved ineffective as Smith grabbed a folding chair as a shield and raised a three-foot metal pole while charging at one of the officers in the front yard. Smith swung the pole at the officer, who ducked to avoid being hit. Another officer fired one round from his service weapon, striking the man in the upper right leg. Smith was subsequently detained, and officers immediately began providing medical aid. Smith was transported to a local hospital for medical treatment. He survived his injuries, and has since been released from the hospital.
The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office subsequently charged Smith with two felony counts of assault with a deadly weapon upon a peace officer, with special weapons enhancements. This case is pending trial.
The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office is leading the investigation of the officer-involved shooting portion of the incident, in coordination with the San Pablo Police Department. The officers involved in the incident were placed on paid administrative leave per Contra Costa County protocol, and have since returned to full duty.