A 30-year-old man from Davis was killed by police in a shootout in downtown San Jose after a violent multi-day crime spree involving multiple armed robberies and carjackings across Northern California.
Mohamed Husien of Davis was suspected of being responsible for a series of carjackings when authorities say there was a confrontation with San Jose officers on Wednesday, where the suspect fired at police, and a bullet grazed a San Jose police sergeant’s head.
The pursuit lasted nearly two hours, spanning from Hollister to San Jose and involving multiple law enforcement agencies. San Jose Police Chief Paul Joseph said Thursday that the sergeant, a 13-year department veteran, suffered a skull fracture.
According to Joseph, near the end of the incident, the suspect struck a stopped vehicle at Notre Dame Avenue and West Julian Street. As the sergeant arrived in pursuit, the suspect exited his vehicle, advanced on the sergeant and opened fire.
Despite being struck in the head, the sergeant got out of his vehicle and — with another officer — exchanged gunfire. The suspect briefly attempted to nab a police car and flee, but was shot by arriving officers.
The suspect was shot and also struck by a police vehicle, dying at the scene. The sergeant was hospitalized in critical condition, but Joseph said in the press conference the sergeant is expected to be released and recover.
“This was a battle for that sergeant’s life, unfolding in the middle of our city, in broad daylight, with members of the public in the crossfire,” Joseph said. “Under fire, wounded and under extreme stress, his training and resolve kicked in.”
Video obtained by the Bay Area News Group appears to confirm what Joseph stated in the press conference. Footage shows Husien exiting a police SUV in the middle of a San Jose intersection on Wednesday afternoon as officers surround the vehicle and gunfire breaks out. As the shooting escalates, Husien runs several dozen yards from the driver’s seat before collapsing.
Seconds later, a second police vehicle speeds into the frame and drives over him shortly after he appears to move on the ground. Gunfire continues as officers then move in.
A law enforcement source said moments earlier, a San Jose police sergeant had used his vehicle to block the suspect’s white car. The suspect then got out, ran toward the sergeant’s vehicle, and opened fire, wounding the sergeant.
Law enforcement agencies are continuing to investigate the incident.