May 19--A call from a scared Pittsburg, Calif., mother that her adult son was armed with a gun, possibly on drugs and trying to get inside the family home ended with police shooting him, his father and his younger brother Tuesday night, police said.
The officers rushed to the home in the 1500 block of Kingsly Drive just after 9 p.m., when a woman reported her 20-year-old son, Rigoberto Gutierrez, had a gun, was "acting irrational" while pointing it at his father, and might be on drugs, said Pittsburg Police Capt. Ron Raman.
Gutierrez was trying to get inside but his family had locked the home's security screen door, officials said. Though Gutierrez's listed address is the family home, he may not have been living there in recent weeks because of family strife, Raman said.
Police said he did not obey their commands when they approached him.
"It's relatively dark. We can't see behind the security gate. Everything from there unfolded quickly," Raman said.
Police said Gutierrez reached for a gun in his waistband. One officer, a 20-year-veteran of the police force, opened fire and hit Gutierrez in the leg. But at least two rounds missed, went through the security screen door and hit Gutierrez's father in the torso and his 17-year-old brother in the leg, Raman said.
"They were standing, watching. Our officer did not know they were back there," Raman said. "It's unfortunate that there's two additional victims to this, but the suspect's actions caused the reaction. It was obvious to the officer at that point that [Gutierrez] was going to shoot."
The father was treated at the scene for minor injuries. Both sons were rushed to the hospital and are expected to survive. Police said Gutierrez will be arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon and additional charges once he's discharged.
Officers found a gun allegedly belonging to Gutierrez at the scene, officials said.
The officer who opened fire was put on paid administrative leave pending an internal investigation into his use of force, Raman said.
on Twitter.
------
UPDATES:
4:30 p.m.: This story has been updated with new information and quotes from police.
