In Stockton, a 28-year-old man named Javion Holmes is in critical condition after being shot by a police officer on Friday night. The incident occurred in a neighborhood north of the Robinhood Plaza shopping center during a police operation to apprehend a robbery suspect.
According to the Stockton Police Department, the sequence of events began around 9 p.m. Friday when officers responded to a reported armed robbery at a business in the 5700 block of Pacific Avenue. The suspect, described as wearing a dark jacket and black ski mask, allegedly displayed a gun, stole money, and fled the scene.
Shortly after, police received a tip about a suspicious individual hiding under cars and possibly attempting to enter residences near 400 West Swain Road. Using a helicopter and a drone, officers located the suspect in a backyard on West Longview Avenue. Despite repeated commands to surrender, the suspect reportedly hid behind debris and refused to comply.
The confrontation escalated when the suspect, allegedly covering his hands with a cloth, claimed to possess a gun and made movements suggestive of pointing a weapon while charging at the officers. In response, one officer deployed a less-than-lethal shotgun in an attempt to subdue him. However, the situation further escalated, leading another officer, identified as Patrol Officer Ruben Meza, to discharge his firearm.
Holmes was struck at least once and was immediately provided medical assistance by the officers before being transported to a hospital. At the scene, police recovered a replica handgun and stolen money, believed to be linked to the earlier robbery.
The shooting, which took place around 10:10 p.m., has led to Officer Meza and others involved being placed on paid leave pending an investigation, a standard procedure in such incidents. This is not the first incident involving Officer Meza, who was involved in another fatal police shooting in January 2023.
The specifics of why lethal force was used following the deployment of less-than-lethal options have not been disclosed, and the investigation is ongoing. The Stockton Police Department has promised to continue providing updates as more information becomes available.
