SAN JOSE, Calif. (KRON) — A San Jose Police Department sergeant who was shot by a suspect Tuesday afternoon and rushed to the hospital in critical condition has been stabilized, officials said. The suspect, who was wanted in two armed robberies of individuals over the weekend, was shot dead by police returning gunfire.
On Wednesday, the San Jose Police Department identified the suspect as 39-year-old Anthony Chavez. Chavez, police said, was on probation at the time of the shooting.
The San Jose Police Department identified the officer who was shot as Sergeant Matt Walsh. He is expected to recover, according to police.
Chavez was first spotted by SJPD officers at 12:31 p.m. Tuesday driving in an SUV that was associated with the armed robbery investigation. In both armed robberies, police said the suspect brandished a firearm described as a long gun.
Officers attempted to pull him over, but the suspect brandished a firearm at police and fled in the SUV, SJPD said. While fleeing, authorities said the driver struck at least one other vehicle. The driver eventually stopped in the area of Lick Avenue and Goodyear Street, where officers watched the suspect get out and run into a nearby residence.
An armed robbery suspect flees into a San Jose home where a deadly shootout with police unfolded. One SJPD sergeant was wounded and the suspect was fatally shot. (Photo courtesy of homeowner)
The pursuing officers followed the suspect into the home on Goodyear Street, which was occupied by a family with at least one child, police said. According to SJPD spokesperson Stacie Shih, preliminary information indicates that the suspect was not associated with the family.
When Chavez was located hiding in the home by officers, he began shooting and struck a police sergeant, later identified as Sergeant Walsh, SJPD said. Police returned gunfire and shot the suspect at least once. Chavez was pronounced deceased at the scene.
San Jose Police Department officers follow an armed robbery suspect into a home where a deadly shootout unfolded. One SJPD sergeant was wounded and the suspect was fatally shot. (Photo courtesy of homeowner)
Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen called the suspect a “long-term criminal,” who “should never have been free to commit more crimes and violence against anyone, let alone one of San Jose’s finest.”
“We objected to his release,” the DA’s statement continued. “The laws on bail are rapidly changing, making it harder to keep even dangerous defendants behind bars. However, judges still have important discretion in weighing the risk of releasing repeat serious criminal offenders. We join members of our community and law enforcement in reminding judges that the stakes are – as this case illustrates – literally life and death.”
San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan visited the wounded police sergeant in the hospital Tuesday, according to his office. On Wednesday, Mahan took to social media and wrote, “Yesterday was a tough day for San Jose — but at the end of it, our brave Sergeant made it out with his life. We are all grateful for that.”
SJPD spokesperson Shih said at a news conference that there is no ongoing pubic safety threat, and there are no outstanding suspects.
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