2 weeks ago
21
FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – A antheral has died from his injuries aft being changeable by constabulary pursuing an hours-long standoff Saturday successful northwest Fresno, the Fresno Police Department said.
In an update, the section announced that 35-year-old Joseph Merical was transported from the country Saturday nighttime to an country hospital, wherever helium died.
Leading up to the shooting, investigators said a pistillate reported to constabulary that astir 2 p.m., her important different had strangled her. She besides told them she was capable to flight their flat afterward with her baby.
When constabulary arrived astatine the analyzable astatine Blythe and Austin Avenues to effort to apprehension Merical for his alleged engagement successful the home unit disturbance, they said helium barricaded the flat door. They besides said helium climbed connected apical of furnishings and equipped himself with 2 ample room knives.
At 1 point, officers were capable to partially unit unfastened the beforehand door, astatine which clip they accidental Merical allegedly attempted to stab an officer. Additional resources were past called out, including the Crisis Negotiations Team and S.W.A.T.
Following failed attempts to negociate with Merical implicit respective hours, constabulary said helium made obscene gestures astatine them, displayed assertive behavior, and told officers that helium was not going backmost to prison.
Investigators said helium yet came retired of the flat equipped with some knives and ran down the staircase toward officers who were lasting successful the parking lot.
Police said Merical proceeded to complaint astatine them with the knives successful some hands, and that's erstwhile they accidental they "discharged less-than-lethal munitions," hitting Merical, but it was ineffective. Officers past utilized "lethal force," shooting Merical.
This probe remains active, and anyone with further accusation is asked to interaction Fresno Police Department Homicide Detectives M. Yee (559) 621-2407 oregon Detective J. Baroni (559) 621-2516.
