Following mental health check, multi-agency effort
20-year veteran of the department
Second cop shot in county Thursday
By Lt. Donald Patchin, Richmond Police Department
RICHMOND, Calif. — At approximately 6:41 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026, Contra Costa Health’s A3 Crisis Response was contacted regarding a request to conduct a mental health check on an individual in the 2200 block of Key Boulevard. A3 is Contra Costa County’s behavioral health crisis response program. When circumstances present a potential safety concern, A3 may request assistance from law enforcement. Due to the nature of the call, A3 requested that Richmond Police officers accompany them to the location.
When the first officer arrived at the residence, the officer was struck by gunfire. The officer was immediately transported to a local hospital for treatment and is in stable condition. The officer is expected to survive.
The suspect barricaded inside the residence and continued firing numerous rounds indiscriminately from within the home. Several rounds struck an RPD Patrol vehicle and neighboring residences, but fortunately, no residents or additional personnel were injured.
Screenshot of El Cerrito Police lockdown order on CWS showing the area near the incident. Source: John Gioia
On social media and the County Sheriff’s Community Warning System, Richmond Police issued a shelter-in-place order and El Cerrito Police issued a lockdown order for the nearby neighborhood. The public was informed, “As of 8:00 pm, there is recently law enforcement activity in Richmond near the El Cerrito border. People in the area near Canyon Trail Park and Key Boulevard are advised to LOCK DOWN IN THE NEAREST PLACE POSSIBLE. Go inside, lock all windows and doors. Stay off the phone and do not call 911 unless you need to report a life-threatening emergency. To report suspicious activity, contact El Cerrito Police. Stay indoors until you receive further instructions.” The order was later lifted.
In addition, District 1 Supervisor John Gioia posted on his Facebook page, “Since 8 pm tonight (Thursday) there has been a lockdown ordered for residents in Richmond near the Grocery Outlet due to law enforcement activity. Stay indoors and lock windows and doors if you live in the affected area shown in red below. Police were seen entering the Grocery Outlet. Don’t be curious and attempt to go outdoors. Be safe inside and police will release more info when they deem it appropriate.”
The Richmond Police Department SWAT Team responded with assistance from the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, East Bay Regional Park District Police Department, and El Cerrito Police Department. The RPD Crisis Negotiations Team responded and established contact with the suspect in an attempt to bring this incident to a peaceful resolution. Chemical agents were also deployed in an effort to gain the suspect’s compliance.
The suspect eventually exited the residence and was taken into custody without further incident. According to ABC7 News, the suspect was a woman who “was taken into custody after an hourslong standoff.”
We are extremely grateful that our officer is in stable condition and expected to survive. We are also thankful that no residents or assisting personnel were injured despite the significant danger created by the suspect’s indiscriminate gunfire.
We extend our sincere gratitude to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, East Bay Regional Park District Police Department, and El Cerrito Police Department for their immediate response and assistance. Their collaboration helped bring this dangerous incident to a peaceful resolution without further injury or loss of life.
Screenshot of a portion PORAC’s post on X Friday, Sept. 4, 2026.
In a post on X (Twitter) Friday morning, PORAC (Peace Officers Research Association of California) wrote, “Thankfully, the 20-year veteran is in stable condition and expected to survive. Please join PORAC in keeping this officer, their loved ones, and the Richmond Police Department family in your thoughts and prayers for a full and speedy recovery.”
ABC7 News further reported the officer was “a 20-year veteran of the department.”
This remains an active and ongoing investigation. Additional information will be provided as investigators complete their work and further details become available for public release.
It was the second shooting of police officer in the county Thursday as a Pittsburg officer was shot by a detainee inside the Pittsburg Police Department earlier in the day. (See related article)
Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.
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