Jose Mendez-Rios dies in fatal Richmond shooting
Fatal Richmond shooting death of Jose Mendez-Rios – Obituary
The Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Coroner has identified 51-year-old Jose Mendez-Rios of Richmond as the individual fatally shot by Richmond police last week. Officers were attempting to apprehend Mendez-Rios, who was wanted for a probation violation linked to domestic violence charges.
On Tuesday, February 4, police located him near the Union Pacific Railroad right-of-way, just west of Carlson Boulevard.
Mendez-Rios refused to cooperate with authorities, leading to a standoff that lasted 32 minutes. Despite efforts to peacefully resolve the situation, Mendez-Rios allegedly advanced toward officers, holding an object that appeared to be a knife.
Officers, perceiving a threat, opened fire, fatally injuring him. It was later revealed that the object was not a knife, but a knife sheath.
