Man dies from gunshot wound after running from East Palo Alto cops
EAST PALO ALTO — A man died from a gunshot wound Friday after he pointed a firearm at East Palo Alto police officers and ran into an open field, according to authorities.
Officers were investigating a 911 call in the 2700 block of Xavier Street around 3:40 p.m. when they learned a man involved with the call had a firearm, East Palo Alto police Chief Jeff Liu said in a news release.
The man fled from the officers when they went to confront him. He turned around and briefly pointed a handgun at the officers before continuing to run, according to Liu.
Liu said no guns were fired at that point.
Officers chased the man to a field behind Tulare Avenue, where they lost sight of him. They heard a single gunshot moments later.
Menlo Park Fire Department officers cordoned off the area while Menlo Park Fire Protection District firefighters used drones to search the area for the man, Liu said.
A drone operator found the man hidden behind a large bush. When officers arrived at the location, they found him holding a gun and suffering from a single gunshot wound, according to Liu.
Officers and firefighters began life-saving measures, but the man was pronounced dead at the scene. He was not identified Friday.
Liu did not immediately respond to a follow-up message seeking additional details about the incident.
Check back for updates.