Release of Officer Involved Shooting video marks new direction for Hayward Police Department

HAYWARD, Calif., Feb. 1, 2019—The City of Hayward today released police officer body-worn camera footage, 911 recordings, dispatch radio recordings, and other information related to a Nov. 15, 2018, officer-involved shooting that resulted in the death of a man, who a witness reported was threatening him with a knife.

Initially, the body-worn camera and other audio and video was withheld to preserve the integrity of the investigation in the interest of justice for all parties involved.  It is and remains a valid concern.  After hearing community concerns and reviewing this process, Hayward Police Chief Mark Koller has determined that this information should be released, providing much needed information to the family and a community justifiably concerned about this incident. 

“In our efforts to support transparency, this is something we should do and are committed to do earlier in the future,” said Hayward Police Chief Mark Koller.

The Hayward Police Department will endeavor to release all video and audio information in future critical incidents with a keen eye as to how that release may or may not impact an investigation.  In many instances, we realize a more open dialogue about these types of incidents will better serve justice and the public good.

Before sharing details about this event, the Department acknowledges that this is a tragic incident for the family, the community, and everyone involved.

The incident on Nov. 15, 2018, involved Agustin Gonsalez, 29, of Lathrop.  It began when a man called 911 saying the boyfriend of his neighbor was threatening him with a knife.

Hayward Police Officers arrived to find Gonsalez in the street.  One officer exited his car and ordered Gonsalez to drop the knife.  Those orders were repeated as Gonsalez approached the officer while holding an object in his right hand.  Those commands were ignored as Gonsalez advanced toward the officer. 

Two officers then fired their service weapons multiple times.

Once detained, officers determined the object in Gonsalez’ hand was a razor blade.  Paramedics were summoned to the scene and were able to take him to an area hospital where he later died.

As is the case in any officer-involved shooting, Gonsalez’ death is the subject of multiple investigations, including a Hayward Police Department Internal Affairs investigation to determine whether officers acted dutifully and followed department policy, as well as an investigation by the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office to determine whether the officers acted lawfully.

Additionally, the HPD investigations bureau investigates for potential criminal wrongdoing by any other party or person associated with the incident.

In the matter of Mr. Gonsalez, the body-worn camera video footage, 911 dispatch recordings, and other information was first made available to the Gonsalez family and their legal representatives before this public release. It can be found on the critical incident community briefing page of the HPD website at www.hayward-ca.gov/critical-incident.