Suspect killed in officer-involved shooting identified
REDDING, Calif. - The man killed Tuesday night in an officer-involved shooting in Redding has been identified.
According to the Shasta County Sheriff's Office, Redding police officers responded to multiple calls that were made around 5:47 p.m. to SHASCOM. Those calls said that 6-8 gunshots had been fired at an apartment complex at 273 Boulder Creek Road.
Sheriff's officials said Redding police officers arrived around 6:10 p.m. and found Stephen John Bukwich, 52, inside apartment #A. Officers spoke with Bukwich via a patrol car PA system.
Officials said Bukwich would open the door to the apartment briefly and yell at officers. Police said that witnesses told them the man was upset about recent legislation regarding gun laws passed by President Barack Obama.
Officials said Bukwich was not cooperative when asked to exit his apartment with his hands up. Officials said officers tried to subdue Bukwich by using less lethal bean bag rounds, which had no affect on the his compliance. Officials said a K-9 was also used to try and gain Bukwich's cooperation but that was unsuccessful as well.
Sheriff's officials said nine officers fired at Bukwich with handguns and rifles, striking him multiple times. He was declared dead on scene.
The Shasta County Officer Involved Critical Incident Protocol was activated and the Shasta County Sheriff's Office Major Crimes Unit took over the officer-involved shooting investigation. Officers with the California Highway Patrol MAIT team assisted with the crime scene investigation as well.
Officials said they found a 9mm Beretta handgun, with a spent casing in the chamber and live rounds in its inserted magazine, inside the apartment.
Officials said they do not know at this time if Bukwich fired his weapon at officers.
A postmortem exam will be conducted tomorrow by the Shasta County Coroner's Office.
