Richmond Police officer shoots suspect on June 28, 2023. Video screenshot
After he raised a pistol at officers
By Jimmy Lee, PIO, Contra Costa County Sheriff-Coroner’s Office
Sheriff-Coroner David Livingston announces that a coroner’s jury today reached a finding in the June 28, 2023, shooting death of 66-year-old Kevin James McDonald of Richmond by police. The finding of the jury is that the manner of death is suicide.
The coroner’s jury reached the verdict in the inquest after hearing the testimony of witnesses called by hearing officer Matthew Guichard.
As previously reported, On June 28, 2023, officers from the Richmond Police Department were involved in an officer-involved shooting in the 1200 block of Sanderling Island of Richmond.
Officers approached a closed bedroom door, which they opened while they announced themselves as being “Richmond Police”. As officers opened the door, they located McDonald seated on a bed, armed with an AR-15-style pistol. McDonald raised his weapon toward officers, at which time an officer-involved shooting occurred.
Officers provided medical aid to McDonald, who was pronounced deceased, by responding medical personnel. He had prior felony convictions that prohibited him from possessing firearms.
A subsequent search of the residence resulted in detectives locating a total of 53 firearms, including 23 pistols, 8 revolvers, 20 rifles, and two shotguns. A live hand grenade along with a large quantity of ammunition was seized. Materials to manufacture illegal firearms were also seized.
A coroner’s inquest, which Sheriff-Coroner David Livingston convenes in fatal incidents involving law enforcement personnel, is a public hearing during which a jury rules on the manner of a person’s death. Jury members can choose from the following four options when making their finding: Accident, Suicide, Natural Causes or At the hands of another person, other than by accident.
Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.
No one has ever seen a video of Mr McDonald pointing his gun at the officer, yet I believe it to be true.
But I would still like to see a video or still image of Kevin pointing his weapon so that it is clear that he saw the officer and did not pull the trigger. Kevin was prone to Black thug fears because he was once the poor white kid in the 1968 black ghetto. All the money and machine shop success came later when they built the needle valve for the aqualung out of stainless/plastic composite. Then suddenly he was rich and everyone tried to use or rob him. Kevin started building guns in his fathers shop during high school and never stopped. He has never been in a fight, never been rude, nothing but kind words.
Kevin probably thought a North Richmond gang was yelling, “Richmond Police!!” trying to get in. After Police busted in Kevin’s head was bouncing back and forth, “Black Thugs! or Richmond Cops!”.
I believe Kevin was relieved that it was the Cops but did’nt expect cowboy Bob to retreat back into the hall then charge back in alone blazing like a crazed cowboy.
Procedure is to retreat and call for backup, remove neighbors, cordon off street and send in a police psychiatrist. This is procedure because insurance companies find that it prevents police brutality lawsuits. Procedure was broken and the critical 2-seconds of video from when the cop first kicked in the door and yelled “gun” is missing.
I want to see his last moment when he chooses to not fire when he has the drop on the cop.
It would make Kevins last act one of kindness.