California Investigates Death of Man Who Was Shot by Officers After Cardroom Incident  

California authorities are investigating the recent killing of a man who is said to have tried to run over another person near a local cardroom. The man was eventually shot down by the police, prompting questions about whether they were justified in the use of deadly force.

The Culprit Allegedly Tried to Kill a Cardroom Worker

The authorities understood that the man in question had tried to run over a worker at the parking lot of the Banker’s Casino, a gaming property in Salinas, Monterey County. According to reports, this occurred at approximately 9:30 am on Wednesday.

The police were tipped off that the culprit was driving a blue Honda Prius. Although the man’s identity has not been made public, reports say that he was a regular Banker’s Casino visitor.

While the reason for the incident is not known, the Salinas Police Department agreed that it was attempted murder. As a result, they initiated a search for the culprit whose car was eventually spotted at around 1 am.

A California Highway Patrol officer identified the car on Highway 183, approximately 10 miles from Banker’s Casino. As the man in the vehicle would not stop, police officers followed.

The Man Was Shot for Holding a Weapon  

According to reports, the California Highway Patrol who originally saw the Honda requested backup. He was joined by Monterey County Sheriff deputies and CHP officers who helped chase the runaway man. The latter eventually drove off the road and stopped in a nearby field.

The culprit then opened the door and exited the vehicle. However, since he was allegedly holding a weapon, he was shot down by the police. Reports confirmed that several officers opened fire, wounding the man. He was carried to a nearby hospital but passed away from his wounds.

A CHP officer was also injured in the process and was also taken to a hospital, although the nature and cause of his wounds was not officially announced.

Investigation Will Determine Whether Deadly Force Was Necessary

What stirred controversy, however, is the fact that the alleged weapon the man was holding was a simple screwdriver. Since such tools are not considered to be “deadly weapons,” this led some to wonder whether the use of deadly force was justified.

As a result, the California Department of Justice initiated an investigation into the matter – a standard practice following shootings in which state officials have been involved. The investigation will, among other things, confirm the identity of the killed man and will see if he was really a threat. To that end, authorities will check deputies’ cameras to see what led to the shooting. Other data and physical evidence are likely to be examined too.

In the meantime, the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office is independently investigating the shooting.

Elsewhere, the two women behind the robbery and murder of a casino guest in Las Vegas were sentenced to prison.