DA’s Office Issues Use of Force Report On Richmond Man Shot While Holding Assault Rifle
Use of Force Report on Kevin McDonald:
Martinez, California – The Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office’s report on the use of force death of 66-year-old Kevin James McDonald in Richmond is now publicly available.
Law Enforcement Involved Fatality Incidents (LEIFI) reports summarizes the results of the District Attorney’s Office’s independent criminal investigation, including a summary of an autopsy, the outcome of a coroner’s inquest, a legal analysis of the facts, and a determination of criminal liability.
District Attorney Diana Becton emphasized: “Six years ago, my office made a commitment to transparency by releasing Law Enforcement Involved Fatality Incidents reports publicly. Since then, we’ve continued this practice. I firmly believe this policy has helped build public trust and improve public safety in Contra Costa County.”
In June 2023, the Richmond Police Department investigated a firearm offense by a Richmond resident.
On June 28th, they arrested that suspect and secured a warrant to search his home for evidence. Prior to searching the residence, officers were made aware that another individual, Kevin McDonald, who wasn’t a suspect, also lived at the home.
A team of officers responded to the home and announced their presence and purpose upon arrival. After receiving no answer, they entered the home to secure the scene, continuing to announce themselves as they searched.
During the search, officers approached a closed bedroom door and announced themselves again before opening it. Inside, they found Kevin McDonald seated nearby, armed with a loaded assault rifle. He raised the weapon toward the officers. Faced with an immediate threat of deadly force, Detective Robert Branch and Sergeant Alex Caine fired at McDonald in self-defense and to protect others. Struck by gunfire, McDonald was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Contra Costa District Attorney’s office reviewed the officer-involved shooting that occurred on June 28th, 2023. The legal analysis considered all the available evidence (totality of the circumstances). Based on this review, the District Attorney has concluded that the officer’s use of deadly force was lawful and justified. No charges will be filed in this case.
Previous article
Next article
The country’s obsession with guns is beyond comprehension.
I don’t like the fact that there are more and more guns out there either. But with the greatly increasing crimes being committed out there, and our public officials unwilling to do anything about it, more citizens are starting to arm themselves. Not a good trajectory. But what do you expect when government neglects its duties to protect its citizens. Every criminal seems to have a gun… and nothing’s being done about that. I worry though where this is headed. Like Jeff is saying it’s the wild west out there. But it probably would not be happening if our district attorneys and judges started protecting the public.
Only in America is a nation at peace so deep in gun violence.
Does the whole right to defend myself argument extend to people massing huge collections of heavy weapons and other munitions? This guy had a live grenade and dozens of assault guns. Why? The only person he and others like him are defending themselves against is the cops.
(Edit)So the cops literally had to take his gun from his cold dead hand?
(Edit)What Siobhan said.
That scenario sounds like he wanted that to happen.
Are you sure he wasn’t a congressman? Judging from their Christmas pictures those guys are loaded for bear.
(Edit)People with nothing else in their lives fall in love with weapons of war.
Guns and meth – what could go wrong?
The late SCOTUS Justice Scalia is still having his say on gun rights….See District of Columbia vs Heller
Not to mention women’s rights. 3/5 a vote for some men. 0/5 for all women. It’s like a Disney RetroWorld ride to 1864 or maybe 1794. Woohoo!
Gun shown is a basic (minimalist) item for home protection! Huh?
Almost a forgone conclusion.
Until society gets beyond the “racist” issue and just puts criminals, whatever color, behind bars for long periods this will continue.
Blacks, however, represent 26.6% of total arrests, including 51.2% of murder arrests, 52.7% of robbery arrests, 28.8% of burglary arrests, 28.6% of motor vehicle theft arrests, 42.2% of prostitution arrests, and 26.1% of drug arrests (FBI’s Uniform Crime Report, Table 43)
Overview (Demographics)
In 2021, 40.1 million people in the United States were non-Hispanic black alone, which represents 12.1 percent of the total population of 331.9 million.
Firestone 11R