Walnut Creek PD Releases Body Worn Camera Footage Of Febr. 26 Officer-Involved Shooting

ADVISORY: This post contains body-worn camera footage of an officer-involved shooting in Walnut Creek, Calif. Viewer discretion advised:

Walnut Creek police Thursday released body-worn camera (BWC) footage of a fatal shooting involving their officers and a local man reportedly acting suspiciouslyin the area of Buena Vista and Alvarado avenues the evening of Febr. 26.

In the video, Corporal Nick Michels (identified as Officer #2) and Officer Mike Lee are seen and heard confronting Joaquin Pereyra at gunpoint – ordering him to stop when Pereyra, who reportedly had previously expressed thoughts of dying at the hands of police, raised a BB gun he had been carrying and assumed a firing position.

“This remains a tragic incident for everyone involved,” said Chief of Police Ryan Hibbs. “Releasing this footage is an important step in providing transparency to our community. While the video footage shows part of what occurred, the full review includes additional evidence and analysis that are being examined through the investigative process.”

The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office is continuing to conduct an independent investigation under the Law Enforcement Involved Fatal Incident Protocol. The Walnut Creek Police Department is also conducting an internal administrative review.

Prior to today’s public release of the video, Walnut Creek PD offered to let Pereyra’s family view the footage privately.