Stanislaus County, CA — In a harrowing encounter captured on body camera footage, a knife-wielding suspect was shot after charging at deputies from the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department. The incident occurred on May 10, 2023, when deputies responded to a 911 call about a man behaving erratically and brandishing a knife on a property in the county.

The call, made by a concerned resident, reported a man on their property who appeared to be either under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The caller noted that the man had been asked to leave twice but had returned, and was now seen holding a knife.

Deputy Rose arrived on the scene and attempted to de-escalate the situation by communicating with the suspect. “Hey bud, it’s the Sheriff’s Office. Can you put that knife down?” Deputy Rose is heard asking in the bodycam footage. The suspect, later identified as 34-year-old Mark Thompson, initially ignored the commands and continued to act erratically.

Thompson was observed putting the knife into his backpack, but continued to refuse the deputy’s commands to show his hands and cooperate. “Stop, stop, stop,” Deputy Rose repeatedly instructed. The situation became more tense when Thompson claimed to have a firearm in his backpack, though none was seen at the time.

As more deputies arrived, including Deputy Larson, efforts to negotiate with Thompson continued. They offered him water and tried to build rapport, but Thompson’s responses remained hostile and incoherent. “What can I do or say to make you drop that knife?” Deputy Rose asked. Thompson’s response was threatening: “I’m gonna charge your ass.”

Deputy Larson and Deputy Rose issued multiple commands for Thompson to drop the knife and not to stand up. Despite their efforts, Thompson suddenly stood up and charged at the deputies with the knife. The deputies, fearing for their lives and the safety of others, fired their weapons, striking Thompson.

Following the shooting, the deputies immediately called for medical assistance. Thompson was transported to a nearby hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries. The deputies involved were placed on administrative leave, a standard procedure following officer-involved shootings.

The Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department has initiated an internal investigation to review the incident. Body camera footage has been released to the public, providing transparency and context to the community.

Sheriff Jeff Dirkse commented, “Our deputies are trained to handle these situations with the utmost care and consideration for the safety of all involved. This was a tragic outcome, and our thoughts are with everyone affected by this incident.”

The incident has sparked discussions about mental health and the challenges faced by law enforcement in managing situations involving individuals in crisis. The Sheriff’s Department has reiterated its commitment to ongoing training in de-escalation techniques and mental health crisis intervention.