FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — A suspect is dead after Fresno police say he shot himself with an officer’s gun at Community Regional Medical Center on Monday.

Many online questioned how that could be possible, so we had law enforcement expert Bruce Thomas to weigh in.

“It’s not easy to take a weapon from a gun holster with the officer right there,” Thomas stated.

RELATED: Suspect dies after using Fresno Police officer’s gun at CRMC, chief says

Police Chief Mindy Casto said the incident began at a police station as officers were investigating him for retail theft and impersonating an officer.

“He began to immediately resist them up at the northwest station,” Chief Casto explained on Monday. “They ended up getting in a little bit of a drug out altercation. He was tased four times while he attempted to arm himself.”

Officers found the 32-year-old man had brought a gun to the police station– hidden in a bag.

After the taser, officers took the suspect to CRMC to be checked, as protocol.

During a bathroom break at the hospital, the arrest turned deadly.

“He was unhandcuffed briefly,” Chief Casto said to media on Monday. “The individual attacked the officer suddenly and was able to disarm him. And within split seconds was able to shoot himself in the head with the firearm.”

Chief Casto said the suspect had prior law enforcement experience outside of Fresno, which Thomas says may have helped him get the officer’s gun.

“Most holsters have some trigger mechanism in them to have the officer release the weapon,” Thomas explained. “Maybe he knew the protocols, maybe he did not.”

Despite life-saving measures, the suspect died at the hospital.

The officer involved was placed on administrative leave.

Action News reached out to Fresno Police to get more questions answered, but no one was available.

Fresno PD said more details on the investigation could be released on Wednesday.

CRMC said it could not discuss this situation because of HIPAA laws, but provided this statement on its general safety protocols:

“All Community Medical Centers’ hospitals, including Community Regional Medical Center, train regularly for a variety of situations – as do most hospitals across the nation. Our first priority is always the safety of our patients, team members and visitors. We constantly review and support procedures and protocol that enhance safety for all those in our care.”

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