California Attorney General released a report Tuesday, Sept. 29, concluding that the evidence does not support criminal charges against four Martinez Police Department officers in the Aug. 18, 2023, shooting that killed Tahmon Wilson in Contra Costa County. The report was issued under Assembly Bill 1506, the attorney general’s office said.
According to the office, the officers arrived at the Velvet Cannabis Weed Dispensary after being alerted to an attempted break-in and saw a vehicle driven by Wilson, with a passenger in the front seat, in the dispensary parking lot. Wilson attempted to maneuver through the parked patrol vehicles as the officers drew their firearms and yelled commands to stop, the office said.
The office said Wilson failed to stop and drove forward, striking an officer and sideswiping a patrol vehicle; officers fired multiple shots, and Wilson was fatally shot. The vehicle was later discovered to be stolen, and a loaded semiautomatic firearm was found on the front passenger floorboard, according to the office.
The department concluded that the evidence does not show, beyond a reasonable doubt, that the officers acted without the intent to defend themselves and others from what they reasonably believed to be imminent death or serious bodily injury; as a result, the office said, there is insufficient evidence to support a criminal prosecution and no further action will be taken.
“Losing a life is always devastating, but we hope this report offers Mr. Wilson’s family and the community closure and understanding,” Bonta said. “AB 1506 is a critical transparency and accountability tool that helps my office promote trust between law enforcement and Californians.”
The department made eight recommendations to the Martinez Police Department, including additional training and guidance on the use of deadly force against moving vehicles and their occupants; policy and training on officer communications during critical incidents, especially when weapons are known to be inside vehicles; changes to its body worn camera policy; a requirement that officers sequester separately after a shooting and not discuss it before further direction from a supervisor; and added training on preserving evidence.
State
Rob Bonta
Attorney General · Democrat
Named once in this story.
Portrait: Official portrait
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