Incident Debrief - Officer Involved Shooting

Critical Incident Debrief - Officer Involved Shooting
Posted on Jul 19, 2022
Critical Incident Debrief Video Header

The City of San Bernardino has released a Critical Incident Debrief video regarding the Officer Involved Shooting that occurred this past Saturday evening. The debrief includes previously unreleased video from the incident, including officer body cam footage.

Warning: there is content in the video that is difficult to watch and is not appropriate for some viewers. VIEWER DISCRETION IS ADVISED.

Here is a link to the video: https://youtu.be/YY69yYhGNzY

For those that would prefer not to watch the video, below is a transcript of San Bernardino Police Chief Darren Goodman's remarks from the video:

"Hello, I’m Chief Darren Goodman with the San Bernardino Police Department. This video provides an overview of an officer-involved shooting that occurred in the city of San Bernardino.

Our goal is to be transparent with the community and share as much information as possible when critical incidents occur.

Due to the graphic nature of this video - viewer discretion is advised.

On Saturday, July 16, 2022, at approximately 8:05 p.m., two fully uniformed San Bernardino Specialized Investigations Unit Officers were conducting follow-up in an unmarked vehicle after receiving information from a citizen that a black male adult armed with a handgun was seen in the parking lot of a business located in the 400 block of West Highland Avenue.

As officers arrived, they spotted two males - one of them clearly displaying a gun in his waistband. Additionally, a number of community members were walking and in their vehicles in the parking lot, as well as residents outside in the adjacent homes.

One of the males - later identified as 23-year-old Rob Marquise Adams of San Bernardino, saw the officer's vehicle, pulled the gun from his pants, and began walking toward the officers in the car.

The officers exited their vehicle and gave Adams verbal commands, but he immediately ran toward two parked vehicles with the gun in his right hand. Officers briefly chased Adams, but seeing that he had no outlet, they believed he intended to use the vehicles as cover to shoot at them. The officer saw Adams look over his left shoulder with the gun still in his right hand. Fearing that bystanders' or the officers’ lives were in danger, one of the officers fired his gun, striking Adams.

Officers quickly rendered medical aid and Adams was transported to a local hospital, where he died as a result of his injuries. The second subject was taken into custody and subsequently released without incident.

Adams' gun - a black 9mm (Taurus G3C) with a round in the chamber, (and 10 rounds in the magazine), was recovered at the scene.

Unfortunately, a surveillance video was released on social media prior to our department having the opportunity to review all available information and evidence. The video which was posted online fails to provide any details or context as to what actually occurred during the incident.

Details like:
● The specific location has a history of criminal activity, including an armed robbery involving Adams as a suspect, where he held several victims at gunpoint and was in possession of numerous firearms.
● Adams not only clearly possessed a firearm, but pulled it from his waistband and displayed it as he walked toward the officer's vehicle.
● There were numerous innocent bystanders in the immediate area.
● Adams was given commands by the uniformed police officers, which is confirmed by witness statements, including the male that was with Adams.
● The officers did not immediately engage him when he walked toward the vehicle, hoping he would follow commands to drop the gun.
● Adams has an extensive criminal history, was on felony probation for armed robbery, and had felony warrants for assault with a deadly weapon, possession of stolen property, and robbery. He had several other prior arrests, including a conviction for robbery.

As I mentioned during our initial statement, we ask that the public (and media) allow us to complete our investigation and obtain all of the facts available before rendering opinions.

The San Bernardino Police Department is also conducting an administrative investigation to ensure department policies and procedures were followed.

The District Attorney’s Office responded to the scene and is conducting a parallel investigation, which is ongoing.

The men and women of the San Bernardino Police Department work tirelessly to protect our residents during a time when violent crime is on the rise. It is unfortunate that our efforts to keep the community safe through proactive police work occasionally results in encounters with armed felons. Our officers face this danger daily in an effort to help make our community safer."