Police sergeant injured, armed robbery suspect killed in shooting at San Jose home: SJPD
SAN JOSE, Calif. (KGO) -- A San Jose police sergeant remained hospitalized in stable condition Wednesday after being shot multiple times during a confrontation with an armed robbery suspect who was hiding inside a home, police said.
The suspect, identified by police as Anthony Chavez of Campbell, was killed by officers during the shooting Tuesday afternoon. No other injuries were reported.
At a Wednesday news conference, San Jose Police Chief Paul Joseph said officers were searching for an armed robbery suspect who had fled from police, crashed a stolen vehicle and entered the home of an unrelated family near Lick Avenue and Goodyear Street.
"Officers knew an armed, violent suspect who had just committed multiple armed robberies, fled from police, crashed a stolen vehicle, entered an unrelated family's home and could be taking hostages. Fearing for the lives of the people inside MERGE officers conducted a crisis entry into the residence," Joseph said.
The chief said members of the department's MERGE unit, a specialized tactical team, entered the home without knowing the family inside was unaware a suspect was hiding in a bathroom.
VIDEO: SJ police entering home before killing suspect in shootout that injured officer
Police said Sgt. Matt Walsh, a 19-year veteran of the department and a supervisor in the MERGE unit, was among the officers who entered the residence. After officers located Chavez, a shootout erupted.
"As officers entered that bathroom, Chavez immediately opened fire. MERGE Unit Sergeant Matt Walsh was first through that door and was struck twice by the suspect's gunfire. Sergeant Walsh and another officer returned fire, striking Chavez multiple times," Joseph said.
Police say Chavez died at the scene.
According to Joseph, the investigation found Chavez had recently committed two armed robberies in San Jose while driving a stolen vehicle and using stolen license plates. The chief also said Chavez committed four armed robberies in 2011 and was sentenced to 23 years in prison before later being resentenced and released on parole.
Joseph, District Attorney Jeff Rosen and Mayor Matt Mahan criticized the handling of Chavez's more recent criminal case.
"Despite being charged with new crimes while on parole, he was released by a judge on SORP over our district attorney's objection. Not surprisingly, Chavez did not report for GPS monitoring or for his next court date. Chavez should have been in custody, but instead he was out committing the robberies I mentioned, and he shot Sergeant Walsh," Joseph said.
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Police said Walsh was struck in an area not covered by his protective vest and is recovering from his injuries.
Officials said the family inside the home was not injured.
Mayor Matt Mahan praised Walsh's actions during the incident.
"Sergeant Walsh, thank you for your service. Thank you for protecting this family and this city, and for sacrificing your own safety to do so," Mahan said.
In the past five years, Chief Joseph says 15 officers have been shot or shot at.
This is the second officer involved shooting this year that led to a suspect being killed and an officer injured.
An investigation into the use of force will now begin and findings will follow after that.
