December 19, 2024 – Fresno Police Department officials report that at 11:22 a.m. on Thursday, May 19, 2022, officers from the Department’s Central Policing District were dispatched to 1705 West Cortland Avenue for a call of a violation of a restraining order. The reporting party, the suspect's mother, advised dispatch that her son, 27-year-old Austin Flores, violated a restraining order and was currently in the residence's backyard, inside a vehicle. Before officers arrived, the suspect's mother told dispatch that Flores had brandished a firearm and told her he was ready if the police came for him.
Officers arrived and established a perimeter around the house. Mr. Flores became aware of the officer’s presence, fled the vehicle he was in, and pointed what an officer believed to be a firearm at him. The officer fired his service handgun, striking Mr. Flores. Mr. Flores was transported to a nearby hospital but died of his wounds. The weapon that Mr. Flores pointed at the officer was a replica firearm.
On August 5, 2022, the Fresno Police Department released the Critical Incident Video of the officer involved shooting. The link to this video is here and in our LinkTree in our bio.
The California Department of Justice (DOJ) is required to investigate all officer-involved shootings that meet the guidelines established in California Assembly Bill 1506.
On Wednesday, the California Department of Justice released their report on the May 19, 2022 officer involved shooting. The link to their report is here.
“The Fresno Police Department appreciates the California DOJ’s independent review of this officer involved shooting. We value our community’s trust, and accountability of our actions is critical to ensuring the continued positive relationship we have.” Interim Police Chief Mindy Casto.
Source: Fresno Police Department
