Nearly two weeks after a 33-year-old man was shot to death by a
Gilroy police officer
– something that hasn’t happened in Gilroy in more than 15 years
– officials remain tight-lipped about the series of events leading
up to Gurmit Singh’s death.
Nearly two weeks after a 33-year-old man was shot to death by a Gilroy police officer – something that hasn’t happened in Gilroy in more than 15 years – officials remain tight-lipped about the series of events leading up to Gurmit Singh’s death.
Investigators are still interviewing witnesses and “are discovering new things every day” but are not ready to release their findings to the public, Sheriff’s Sgt. Dalia Rodriguez said. They are “still actively working on the investigation” with no set timeline in place or end in sight, she said. “(Herman) Leon wants to wait until we’ve completed the investigation to release more information,” she said of the investigating sergeant.
Feb. 8, Officer Eustaquio “Paco” Rodriguez, a six-year veteran of the Gilroy Police Department, was traveling westbound on Highway 152, on an hour long drive back to Gilroy from Gustine, where he served a subpoena. He spotted a man lying on the road, partially in the roadway with his head over the white line, Dalia Rodriguez said.
Singh, 33, had been involved in a violent dispute with family members prior to being left on the side of the road, she said. So violent, that “the family did not find it safe for him to be in the vehicle.” After dropping him off, they drove in search of help or a call box, she said.
When Eustaquio Rodriguez stopped to render aid, Singh attacked him, provoking him to pull his gun and fire. Singh was declared dead several hours later after being airlifted to San Jose Regional Hospital. GPD Interim Chief Scot Smithee said he had “no idea” whether Singh was armed and would not specify what type of weapon the officer used or how many shots were fired, but said that any number of weapons could have been used. Officers have the option of using either of two agency issued weapons, a Glock 40 caliber or Glock 45 caliber, or a weapon of their own choosing which must pass quarterly inspections.
Because the shooting occurred outside Gilroy city limits on Highway 152 west of San Felipe Road, Sgt. Leon of the Sheriff’s Office is conducting a criminal investigation into the shooting to determine whether or not any laws were violated, GPD Sgt. Jim Gillio said. Meanwhile, Gillio is conducting his own research and interviews to determine if the officer violated any internal policies. The officer, who was not injured in the attack, has been placed on paid administrative leave while the GPD conducts its investigation.
Gillio was unable to specify the length of the officer’s leave because “every employee is different.”
“The health and welfare of the officer is important,” he said. “No officer wants to do that and it’s very traumatic if they have to.”
Dr. Greg Salerno, a licensed psychologist in San Jose, has worked with police officers after shootings.
“There’s a lot of guilt associated with taking a human life,” Salerno said, speaking in general terms. “I’ve talked to a lot of cops that essentially never unholster their weapon over the course of a 20 to 30 year career. It’s an unfortunate occurrence that’s just part of the job.”
When officers are placed on administrative leave following an officer involved shooting, they are usually recommended to seek counseling, Salerno said. He works with them in one-on-one cognitive, behavioral and grief therapy sessions.
In retrospect, many of his patients question the validity of their shot, whether or not they were truly threatened, Salerno said. The officers face scrutiny from the public and their colleagues, he said. On top of that, many experience post traumatic stress disorder, a psychological condition resulting from extraordinary trauma like rape, war or murder, he said. “The majority of people involved in a shooting experience that (PTSD). The psychological effects of which go on for months, perhaps years.”
Gillio said the results of the internal investigation will never be released as they fall under the category of “personnel issues” and are not public records.
Sheriffs and GPD would not describe the nature of either of Singh’s altercations – the one that landed him on the side of the road or the second one between him, a 5-feet 9-inch tall man weighing 170 pounds, and the estimated 5-feet 5-inch, 140 pound officer, according to Leon.
Although police would not say what Singh did to provoke Eustaquio Rodriguez to shoot, Gillio said that GPD policy specifies that “officers can use deadly force to protect themselves or others from what they reasonably believe will be an imminent threat of death or bodily harm.”
Smithee and Leon could not provide many details into the ongoing investigation but said that “eventually, everything will be released.” Prematurely releasing certain details to the public would compromise the integrity of the investigation, police said.
Family friends said Singh’s parents still reside in India and his wife and two children live in Seattle, Wash. and were not in the car with Singh that Friday night.
While Singh’s family was reluctant to share their reaction to Friday night’s incident, Leon said that the Sheriff’s Office had been in touch with the family and would offer assistance and guidance should they have any questions.
“We are trying to be respectful of their loss,” Dalia Rodriguez said.
