Authorities identify man killed in Knightsen police shooting
Victim said ex-boyfriend poured gasoline on her, threatened to set her on fire
KNIGHTSEN – The Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office on Friday identified the man killed in a shootout with deputies in Knightsen the previous day as 44-year-old Bay Point resident Eduardo Martinez.
The deputies were not identified, but the sheriff’s office revealed one was hit in the head with shotgun pellets and a second was shot in the arm. A third deputy was shot in the chest but was saved by his bulletproof vest. All three have been treated and released from a hospital.
In a news release Friday, the sheriff’s office said Delta Station deputies were called to the 1700 block of Green Acres Lane about 9:40 a.m. for a report of spousal abuse.
The victim told authorities she was held hostage overnight by an ex-boyfriend who sexually assaulted her, threw her on a coffee table, tied her to a chair with duct tape and poured gasoline on her.
“He also threatened to burn down the house with her in it,” the sheriff’s office said.
The sheriff’s office said the victim also reported that the suspect was armed with a shotgun and a pistol, and “made threats to shoot law enforcement and said he did not want to go back to jail.”
At some point, the victim managed to escape from the house, the sheriff’s office said.
The sheriff’s office said deputies surrounded the house and made numerous announcements for Martinez to come outside. He did not respond and the sheriff’s office SWAT and hostage negotiation teams were called to the scene about 12:40 p.m.
“Martinez fired the shotgun into the ground and shot at deputies several times during the day and would not give up,” the sheriff’s office said.
Just before 9 p.m., Martinez left the home and fired a shotgun at deputies, hitting three of them. Deputies returned fire. Martinez was hit and was later pronounced dead at the scene.
The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office and the sheriff’s office are investigating the police shooting.
Anyone with information related to the case can contact the sheriff’s office at 925-313-2600. Tips can be emailed to tips@so.cccounty.us or left anonymously at 866-846-3592.