Police shooting inside Walmart: “Tragic,” San Leandro mayor says - East Bay Times

SAN LEANDRO — Mayor Pauline Russo Cutter called the fatal shooting of a man inside a Walmart store on Saturday afternoon “a tragedy” and has announced the case was now under investigation by both San Leandro police and the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office.

“I want answers. I am sure you want answers,” Cutter told those listening into Tuesday’s City Council meeting, which was held as a teleconference to avoid people gathering closely together to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

The two officers involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave.

“In the meantime, I ask for your patience,” the mayor said.

The Alameda County’s coroner’s bureau identified the shooting victim as Steven Demarco Taylor, 33, who had no permanent address.

San Leandro police said offices were dispatched to the Walmart at 15555 Hesperian Blvd. about 3:15 p.m. Saturday to investigate a report that a man was inside, brandishing a baseball bat.

“While the officers were en route, the crime was upgraded to a possible robbery, which may have just occurred,” Lt. Ted Henderson told a press briefing outside the store after the shooting.

Part of the encounter was caught on video by at least one shopper. The 58-second clip shows a man brandishing a bat as two officers approach him, with guns drawn, not far from the shopping cart storage bay near the store entrance.

“Get back!” “Get back!” the officers shout several times, as a person in the background can be heard shouting, “Put it down! Put it down!”

The video also shows some shoppers moving quickly away from the confrontation.

At least one officer fires his Taser weapon at the man, who staggers back and then continues advancing. When the man is about five feet from the lead officer, the video shows, the officer fires his gun once, striking the man in the chest.

The man staggers back, drops the bat, and falls to the floor. One shopper shouts: “Don’t shoot him no more.” Another yells: “Call an ambulance!”

On Tuesday, the City Council was set to consider a police proposal to have 10 security cameras installed at key locations around town. The item was postponed, however.

About 15 people still called into the meeting, most voicing opposition to the proposal by saying the cameras were not needed, with several then using the opportunity to condemn the weekend shooting at Walmart.

Some said any money earmarked for cameras should go toward training police on how to deescalate confrontations, especially when officers meet someone in a mental crisis.

“We are in the midst of a health crisis in our country, and specifically in Alameda County,” said caller Tangerine Brigham, a trustee with the Alameda Health System.

Jackie Barshak said the officer who carried out the shooting should be fired.

“The officer had a duty to attend to his medical care,” Barshak said, referring to Taylor. “Instead, he neglected to do that.”

Carter and councilmembers did not respond to the comments.

“I know that this is a difficult time and our community is hurting right now,” San Leandro police Chief Jeff Tudor said in a video message posted on Facebook on Sunday. “Protecting the sanctity of life is extremely
important and I know there are a lot of questions and concerns regarding yesterday’s officer-involved shooting.”

Tudor added: “It is still early in this investigation, and we will provide you more information in the near future and as it becomes available so we can be as transparent as possible.”

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