Police say dog bite led to officer shooting suspect in Fremont

FREMONT — A police officer who shot a man suspected to be involved in a series of automobile and residential burglaries unintentionally fired his weapon after being bitten by a police dog, police said.

The shooting happened last Saturday about 9:45 p.m. in the area of Blacow Road and Mattos Court.

In a statement released Thursday night, Fremont police identified the officer as Sgt. James Taylor, a 17-year veteran of the Fremont Police Dept. He has been a sergeant there for about five years.

The person shot was identified as 25-year-old Freddy Gonzales. He remained hospitalized for treatment of injuries. Police said he will recover and is expected to released soon.

Police said they will ask the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office to charge him on multiple outstanding residential burglary charges.

According to police, the shooting happened as detectives were assisting local law enforcement agencies in the arrest of suspects linked to auto and residential burglaries. Police said the same suspects were suspected of being involved in similar crimes in Fremont in 2025.

The police dog bit Taylor as he was trying to make the arrest, police said. They added that the bite caused the gun to go off.

Police have not released any video footage that may have been captured on body-worn or dashboard cameras.

Taylor went to a local trauma center for treatment of his injuries and was released.

Police said they arrested three other suspects Saturday on suspicion of crimes that included burglary, possession of stolen property and possession of burglary tools. Police said they are also seeking for all four to be charged with reckless evasion of a peace officer, possession of a concealed gun, a felon in possession of a gun, obliteration of a serial number on a gun, resisting arrest and theft.

The investigation is ongoing. Police said anyone with information can send anonymous tips by texting ‘TipFremontPD’ followed by a short message to 888-777 or by going to www.fremontpolice.gov/Tip.