Sacramento police release video of detectives shooting wanted suspect in Elk Grove
The Sacramento Police Department on Friday released video of detectives shooting a wanted suspect at an Elk Grove apartment complex.
Police said the man who was seriously wounded in the shooting, 32-year-old Terry Sharp, ignored the detectives’ commands to drop a gun he was holding during the Oct. 11 confrontation.
Sharp has since been released from a hospital after receiving medical treatment for his injuries. He was booked on Oct. 17 at the Sacramento County Jail, where he remained in custody without bail on Friday.
The Police Department released an edited video with police narration, along with video from a body-worn camera, a recording of dispatch audio, and video from a security camera at the apartment complex.
Police said Sharp was wanted on a felony arrest warrant and was the suspect in a June 2022 Sacramento assault investigation related to a possible hate crime.
Detectives with the department’s Career Criminal Apprehension Team were looking for Sharp. The team’s primary responsibility is locating and apprehending people wanted in connection with serious felony crimes.
The detectives wear plainclothes on duty and drive unmarked vehicles with emergency lights and sirens. Police said the detectives had on ballistic vests with police insignia, and at least two of them had activated their vehicle’s police lights as they approached Sharp.
The detectives had arrived at the Bella Vista Apartments in the 6800 block of Di Lusso Drive to look for Sharp. About 12:10 p.m., the detectives spotted Sharp in the complex and tried to arrest him.
Police said the detectives got out of their vehicles, identified themselves as police and ordered Sharp to drop the gun he was holding.
The video showed Sharp walk to a car parked under one of the complex’s car ports, open the driver’s door as if he was going to get in and then step away from the car as the unmarked police vehicle stopped nearby. Sharp stands on a sidewalk as the detectives approached him.
Police said Sharp then began manipulating the gun he was holding as he continued to ignore the detectives’ commands to put down the gun. The edited police video shows a circle indicating Sharp is holding a gun in front of his crotch area.
The video shows Sharp turn and walk away from the officers moments before several shots are heard. The video also shows Sharp apparently hit by gunfire that knocks him to the the ground momentarily, before he gets up and appears to be hit by gunfire again and falls to the ground.
Police said Sharp was still holding the gun when he hit the ground the second time.
The detectives coordinated a plan to safely approach Sharp and administer emergency medical aid, which included the application of multiple chest seals and attempts to slow bleeding, according to the Police Department. The detectives provided aid until medics arrived.
Police recovered a loaded .40 caliber handgun that was found within a few feet from Sharp’s head. Police said the gun was jammed when it was recovered at the scene.
Sharp faces charges of assault with a gun on a peace officer and being a felon in possession of a gun. He also was being held in connection to a San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department criminal case.
The police shooting was being investigated by the Elk Grove Police Department. An additional administrative investigation was being conducted by Sacramento police that focuses on policy, tactics and training as it relates to the use of force.
The Elk Grove Police Department asked witnesses with information regarding this police shooting to call 916-478-8063 or Sacramento Valley Crime Stoppers at 916-443-4357.
