SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A man armed with a knife was fatally shot by a deputy in Rio Linda on Saturday morning, according to a media release from the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office. The incident took place after deputies responded to a call regarding a suicidal individual.
At approximately 8:15 a.m., deputies arrived at a residence on the 6500 block of Campanile Street following a report from a woman stating that her brother, 38-year-old Christopher Gilmore, was threatening self-harm. Gilmore, diagnosed with schizophrenia, was alone in the house after family members had left and was armed with a knife.
"The caller reported that her brother…had schizophrenia, was armed with a knife, and was cutting himself in a bathroom," the Sheriff's Office stated. Before law enforcement's arrival, Sacramento Metro Fire Department personnel staged nearby to ensure a swift medical response once the scene was secured.
Despite efforts to peacefully resolve the situation, Gilmore refused to come outside and was heard expressing a desire to die by "suicide by cop," as relayed by one of his roommates. It was also revealed that Gilmore was on probation, having been arrested just six days prior for resisting an officer and other charges but had been released on pre-trial release.
The confrontation escalated when Gilmore, still wielding the knife, approached deputies despite being hit with multiple less lethal shotgun rounds aimed to disarm him. "One Deputy deployed multiple less lethal shotgun rounds at Gilmore…but they were ineffective," the release detailed.
Ultimately, when Gilmore advanced to within a few feet of a deputy while still holding the knife, the deputy fired his service weapon, resulting in Gilmore's death at the scene despite immediate first aid efforts by deputies.
The Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office announced that an investigation into the shooting is underway by the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau and Professional Standards Division. This is standard procedure for any officer-involved shooting within the jurisdiction. Additionally, the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office will conduct an independent review of the incident.
In line with department policy, the deputy involved has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.
