Update: Police release video of July officer-involved shooting
Update posted Dec. 22, 2021
Recent California legislation requires increased transparency regarding incidents of this nature
– The investigative report into the July 06, 2021, fatal shooting of Steven Adam Calderon by members of the San Luis Obispo Regional Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team has been completed by the San Luis Obispo District Attorney’s Office Bureau of Investigations. The report is currently being reviewed by the DA’s office and the release of video will no longer affect the investigation into the shooting. An official report of the review is forthcoming from the San Luis Obispo’s D.A.’s Office.
Recent California legislation requires increased transparency regarding incidents of this nature. In an effort to meet those requirements the Paso Robles Police Department is releasing body worn footage, drone footage and other material pertinent to the investigation, so that the community can have a better understanding as to what transpired that day.
Warning: The following video contains graphic images and language. It is not suitable for all viewers.
Link to video here: https://youtu.be/VQTw2ewqIC
Original story posted July 7, 2021:
Paso Robles Police Chief Ty Lewis holding a press conference at city hall.
Video: Police chief holds press conference regarding police shooting suspect
– Paso Robles Police Chief Ty Lewis and San Luis Obispo Police Chief Rick Scott held a joint press conference at Paso Robles City Hall on Tuesday to update the community on the deadly police shooting that occurred at Dry Creek Apartments early in the morning. The suspect, 32-year-old Steven Adam Calderon, is from Los Angeles and an investigation into the incident is ongoing.
On Monday at 3:56 p.m., Paso Robles Police Department units were dispatched to Dry Creek Apartments, located near the 2400 block of Branch Creek Circle, following reports that Calderon was involved in a domestic violence incident towards a woman, where he threatened to shoot her and had fired several shots from a handgun into the air.
At 5:30 p.m., the San Luis Obispo Regional SWAT team was activated to assist at the scene. Calderon refused to talk with a crisis negotiation team that was present, police say. The situation turned high risk as Calderon would leave and re-enter the apartment and initiated exchanges of gunfire. Different chemical agents, including tear gas, were utilized; Calderon responded at 1:15 a.m. on Tuesday morning when he exited the apartment and set the gun on a porch. Discussions were held between Calderon and the police units and the SLO Regional SWAT team, until Calderon lunged towards the gun and was fatally struck by gunfire from police. Medical attention was immediately performed; however, Calderon died from the injuries.
“Our patrol units initially responded with the Paso Robles Police Department to try to establish contact with Mr. Caldaron,” said Chief Lewis. “However, that proved mostly unsuccessful. It appeared that he would come in and out of the residence and yell various things at the officers. However and ultimately, they observed the gun that was described by witnesses and it was turned into a high-risk encounter for the police and for the community, so we decided to use our Special Weapons and Tactics team, which is a regional team made up of municipalities here in San Luis Obispo County. We all contribute SWAT operators to that team and they responded to help us serve an arrest warrant and search warrant,” said Chief Lewis, noting that three apartment buildings were evacuated.
Two Paso Robles police officers and one San Luis Obispo police officer were placed on administrative leave while a procedural investigation occurs. The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Department and District Attorney’s office are currently doing an investigation and review, along with both Paso Robles and San Luis Obispo police departments conducting internal inquiries.
No officers or residents were injured; the girlfriend was also removed from the scene when investigators arrived.
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