Salinas police explain officer-involved shooting in detail

On Thursday afternoon, Salinas police released surveillance video from cameras near the scene of Tuesday’s officer involved shooting on North Sanborn. They explained it step by step, and matched it up with the cellphone video that’s already been seen through social media.

“The video that we’re about to see is video that’s not been released yet. This is the first time you’ve seen it,” said Salinas Police Chief Kelly McMillin.

Using surveillance video from a nearby bakery, McMillin took local and national media scene by scene through Tuesday’s deadly officer involved shooting. He described the officer’s initial contact with suspect 44-year-old Carlos Mejia. McMillin said Mejia comes toward police holding 8-inch gardening sheers.

“The compelling part of this video particularly in the upper part of the television screen is where he’s swinging them around and back and forth toward the police officers,” said McMillin.

McMillin said officers tried to use a stun gun twice. The first time the stun gun didn’t work, the second time it was ineffective.

“He continually holds them by one handle and so they swing opened and closed,” McMilin said.

Mejia is seen walking away from the two officers, gardening sheers in hand. McMillin said the officers priority was to arrest Mejia, while trying to keep him away from the bakery or getting away. He said the pivotal moment came when officers had nothing to put between themselves and Mejia.

“Right before the shots rang out, you’ll see as he’s walking away taking steps, he’ll shift his weight back to his left foot, and you’ll see his right heel come up and pivot around as he begins turning back toward the officer,” said McMillin.

That’s when McMillin said both officers fired their guns. Salinas police is doing its own internal investigation into this officer involved shooting and the mi pueblo incident earlier this month. Then they plan to forward both cases to the Monterey County District Attorney’s office, the FBI’s San Francisco division and the Department of Justice for outside evaluation.