A man, believed to have been intending self-harm, drove his pickup truck to the Walgreens store at 2900 N. Main Wednesday night, announced an intention to kill himself and fired at least once into the air in the parking lot at that location.
A police search for the individual, described as a white male, about 6′ in his 30s with short, dark hair, was launched with police using at least one drone to assist in their effort.
A witness reported seeing the truck, a man inside with a gun in his mouth, shortly before the vehicle “raced” into the parking lot, over a cement divider, and ultimately into a 4′ tall parking lot security pole before coming to rest against a walkway guardrail in front of adjacent retail stores.
“Yelling and screaming,” said a witness identified only as “Mark.” “White male suspect abandoned his truck there, I then heard three possible shots. A second bystander heard two.”
Mark said the man then got on his knees in the parking lot as if he were going to shoot himself, but then got up and exited northward on Main on foot.
Police were there shortly thereafter with 5 to 6 cars, and a drone was used in an attempt to locate the suspect.
The incident was reported at approximately 9:20 p.m. No one was reported injured.
UPDATE: Posted by Walnut Creek PD three days later on Aug. 19:
Arrested: Eric Clausen (30-year-old male from Brentwood)
Charges Filed:
PC 29800(a)(1) – Possession of a Firearm by a Felon
PC 246.3(a) – Willful Discharge of a Firearm with Gross Negligence
PC 25850(a) – Carrying a Loaded Firearm in a Public Place
Charges are Filed after Walnut Creek Police Arrest Suspect for Discharging a Firearm
On August 16, 2023, at about 9:13pm, Walnut Creek Police Department received a call of a vehicle driving recklessly on N. Main Street traveling toward the City of Pleasant Hill, and the driver was reportedly holding a gun.
A short time later, a witness called Dispatch to report a male crashed his vehicle in a shopping center located at 2900 N. Main Street, then discharged a gun in the air several times after exiting the vehicle. A Walnut Creek Police Officer in the area heard the gunfire and was on scene within seconds, but the suspect fled the area on foot. Officers set up a perimeter and began a search, which included the use of drones and assistance from a CHP helicopter.
At approximately 10:21pm, a WCPD Officer located the suspect behind a nearby business and the suspect was safely taken into custody without incident. The firearm involved in this case was later located by officers. There were no reported injuries to the suspect, officers, or anyone in the area.
Eric Clausen, a 30-year-old male from Brentwood, was arrested for various weapons violations and booked into the Martinez Detention Facility.
On August 18th, the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office filed the following charges against Clausen:
PC 29800(a)(1) – Possession of a Firearm by a Felon
PC 246.3(a) – Willful Discharge of a Firearm with Gross Negligence
PC 25850(a) – Carrying a Loaded Firearm in a Public Place
Anyone with any information is asked to contact Walnut Creek Police Department at 925-943-5844 or call the Anonymous Tip Line at 925-943-5865.
Just curious why this article has to describe the person as “white male” several times? You know if it were any other description, people would be calling you out on it, saying the description was unnecessary and even racist…just sayin’.
Because… for what seems like the hundredth time… there was an active police search underway for an armed man who had fired his weapon at least once and who had run off into the neighborhood on foot.
And, just so we’re clear, we’ll do that every time ANYONE – white, black, green, zebra-striped – is being sought and poses a potential risk to public safety.
NEWS24/680
Man you guys can’t win, damned if you do damned if you don’t. Greg – 24 680 always puts up descriptions relating to our safety and well being and does not play politics. They are one of the only news places where being objective is a must.
I think what you said was an unfair statement and disregards the extreme integrity they display.
Not cool man.
Guy is distraught, have empathy
Tell him to put down the gun first.
A street name may have been
helpful as well.
Do you mean like this one, in our first paragraph?
“A man, believed to have been intending self-harm, drove his pickup truck to the Walgreens store at 2900 N. Main Wednesday night, announced an intention to kill himself and fired at least once into the air in the parking lot at that location.”
Some remedial reading lessons may be helpful as well.
Oh Greg…. That’s your takeaway from this story?
For the record and the race baiters out there (apparently more than I thought when we moved here) the racial description “white” is used exactly TWICE in the story – once by the site in a RIGHTFUL alert to those in the area and once by a witness. And one thing I have learned during my years reading this site – they are reliable, tough, and they don’t bow down to idiots.
A little weird, Greg. Maybe very weird, Greg.
I agreed. Suspect description is important for the public to know what to look for and avoid danger. Folks are getting too sensitive now a days. Just let the news and police do their work.
So the 2-3 follow up shots were likely just another attention grab? They didn’t find a body and a real suicide attempt wouldn’t possibly shoot and miss twice let alone 3 times.
Bro – no guns or pickup trucks. Call up the old lady and have a talk over dinner. No need for innocent people or police to get involved.