(KRON) — A photojournalist was on a ride-along with a Santa Rosa Police Department officer when the officer shot an allegedly aggressive man, police said.
SRPD Officer Taylor McDonagh shot 46-year-old Eric Keith Brown of Santa Rosa, the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office said. Brown survived, and on Tuesday, authorities released photos of the March 12 incident.
The incident began at 10:52 a.m. when someone called police to report that a person was sleeping on a sidewalk in a sleeping bag at the entrance to St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, located at 398 Tenth Street.
About 30 minutes later, Officer McDonagh arrived in a marked patrol car with a photojournalist.
(Body camera image released by the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office)
“Officer McDonagh engaged Brown in conversation. Brown was evasive and largely non-responsive to her questions. Brown then began walking away from the officer toward Washington Street,” the sheriff’s office wrote.
On Washington Street, Brown turned around and “aggressively” walked toward Officer McDonagh while she continued asking questions, authorities wrote. Officer McDonagh told Brown not to come near her as she retreated toward her patrol car. She pointed her Taser at Brown and requested emergency backup.
Brown continued advancing toward McDonagh and yelled, “I’m trying to die,” “I ain’t afraid of dying,” “shoot me, I can die right now,” the sheriff’s office wrote.
While waving his arms around and yelling, Brown followed the officer as she walked backwards trying to create space.
“Brown then began running at Officer McDonagh with his right arm at waist level and his left arm raised toward his right shoulder,” authorities said. “Officer McDonagh then fired two rounds at Brown, with one of the rounds striking him in the upper torso. Brown was transported to an area hospital. He remains hospitalized and is expected to live.”
The Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the officer’s use of force and reviewing evidence, including body-worn and dash camera footage, surveillance videos, and witness statements.
Under Senate Bill 1421 and Assembly Bill 748, SRPD will release body-worn camera footage at a later date.
Officer McDonagh has six years of experience as an officer with SRPD and the San Mateo Police Department. She was placed on paid administrative leave.