A tense police standoff in Oakland ended in deadly gunfire after two officers shot and killed a 43-year-old man who authorities said was armed with two improvised spears.
The Oakland Police Department on Wednesday released body camera footage of the July 13 encounter involving Jose Angel Castillo near a homeless encampment at 40th Avenue and International Boulevard.
In the video, officers can be heard repeatedly ordering Castillo to drop the weapons. He did not comply, instead walking away from police while saying he “was doing nothing.”
Officers followed as Castillo moved into a parking lot, continuing to issue commands for him to stop and put the weapons down.
Then Castillo turned back toward them.
Several officers deployed Tasers, but Castillo still did not surrender, according to the footage released by Oakland police.
Castillo appeared to grab one of the officer’s weapons and advance toward police before two officers fired, striking him and knocking him to the ground. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The two officers who discharged their firearms were placed on administrative leave, in line with Oakland Police Department policy.
The shooting has raised questions from civil rights attorney Jim Chanin, who monitors the Oakland Police Department.
“Did it justify deadly force? There are lots of people who are threats, the question is, does it – what kind of force is justified?” he asked KUTV.
The department has had two fatal shootings out of three total incidents this year, compared to one fatal shooting by this date last year.
