Campbell police fatally shoot man during domestic dispute
Officers shoot and kill suspect in Campbell domestic dispute
Residents in a South Bay neighborhood are in shock after officers shot and killed a man while responding to a domestic violence call. The incident happened in Campbell in the early hours of the morning. Officers said the suspect fired at them first.
CAMPBELL, Calif. - A Campbell police officer shot and killed a man during a response to a domestic violence case early Tuesday morning.
Miguel Agustin Nava Gomez, 31, died in a shooting that occurred after officers responded around 3 a.m. to a text-to-911 message from a woman reporting a domestic violence incident at an apartment in the 1800 block of South Bascom Avenue, Campbell police said in a news release.
Police communicated with the woman until she met with officers outside of the apartment and said Gomez and her two children were still inside the unit. Officers determined Gomez had been served a restraining order from the woman and had an outstanding warrant for domestic violence and was prohibited from possessing firearms, police said.
Shortly before 4 a.m., police contacted Gomez, who allegedly opened fire at officers. An officer returned fire, striking him. Gomez was pronounced dead at the scene and the children were rescued and reunited with their mother, according to police. However, it was later learned that the woman involved in this incident was also arrested. The chief of police did not give additional details, but only said there was evidence that the children had been put in danger while in her care. The chief said the children are now in protective custody.
More details about the shooting, as well as the name of the officer who shot Gomez, were not immediately available. The Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office is working with Campbell police to investigate the shooting by the officer, as is standard protocol for officer-involved shootings in the county.
"In the midst of a volatile situation, our officers remained steadfast in professionalism and bravery, putting their lives on the line to protect our community," Campbell Police Chief Gary Berg said in a statement. "Their quick actions saved the children involved and averted potential harm to others, underscoring their dedication to prioritizing the safety and welfare of Campbell."
One neighbor described the scene. ""It was like boom, boom, boom, boom. That’s what scared me. So, I didn’t want to peep outside because I was like, ‘Oh my God. What if it’s like a crazy person or something?’" said Monique Martinez of Campbell. She said she lives in the same apartment building. She took video on her cell phone as more officers arrived at the apartment complex.
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She said she woke up around 4 a.m. to go to the bathroom. "I come back and I hear gunshots and I’m like, ‘Oh my God,' and hear ‘Nooo!’ I’m like ‘Oh my god, I’m getting goosebumps’. I said I would open the door, but I don’t know if it’s dangerous."
Just outside of the apartment, there was damage to the wooden awning that looked like bullet holes and the neighbor next door said police came to his unit to ask if anyone had been hurt.
"So, they did tell us like to just check the house, make sure nothing came through your wall because there were gunshots. I was like, ‘OK,' so I just checked it out real quick and everything was all good." said a neighbor named Ben.
Another neighbor said he was shocked. When asked why, Jorge Mesa responded, "Because it never happens around here that much, you know. I’ve never seen that, especially in my apartments, you know?"