Critical Incident Video Release of Officer Involved Shooting on November 4, 2023 

January 13, 2024 - Fresno Police Department officials report that shortly after 3:00 a.m. on November 4, 2023, officers from the Fresno Police Department responded to a residence in the 5500 block of North Dante Avenue regarding a suicidal male. The caller reported that her husband, 33-year-old Maximiliano Sosa, had threatened to take his life after a family dispute earlier that evening. When the officers arrived, they contacted the 9-1-1 caller, but Mr. Sosa had left.

Approximately 15 minutes after arriving, officers noticed Mr. Sosa driving in the parking lot. When they attempted to contact him, Mr. Sosa accelerated his vehicle at an officer, who had to move out of the way to avoid being hit. Mr. Sosa was heard by officers stating, “Do you want to play a game?” before speeding off. Officers attempted to pursue Mr. Sosa, but due to his reckless driving, they lost sight of him. Several officers returned to the North Dante residence.

While speaking with the 9-1-1 caller inside her apartment, Mr. Sosa called. Mr. Sosa was argumentative and hostile, making threats to kill himself as well as threats to hurt the officers. Despite their efforts to de-escalate the situation, Mr. Sosa remained confrontational with the officers before hanging up.

At 4:35 a.m., Mr. Sosa returned to the apartment, holding a pair of kitchen shears. Two officers were inside the apartment speaking to the 9-1-1 caller. Mr. Sosa entered the apartment and began challenging the officers, making threats to stab them and force them to shoot him. The officers repeatedly attempted to de-escalate the situation, however Mr. Sosa remained highly agitated and hostile.

Mr. Sosa suddenly walked out the apartment door towards an officer standing outside. When Mr. Sosa crossed the threshold of the door, an officer deployed his Taser, which was ineffective. Mr. Sosa then charged toward the officers with the shears in his hand. Three officers discharged their service weapons.

Immediately following the shooting, officers began medical aid on Mr. Sosa until the arrival of paramedics. Mr. Sosa was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The investigation into this critical incident is ongoing. There will be no additional comments made beyond the release of this video.

This critical incident is being fully investigated, and the finding will be handed over to the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office, Internal Affairs and the Office of Independent Review.

Age-restricted video (based on Community Guidelines)

The link to the video is: https://youtu.be/iN8H-L_HKBM.

Source: Fresno Police Department