Richmond police shoot armed suspect

A suspect who was shot Thursday by a Richmond police officer was carrying drugs and a semi-automatic handgun, police said. Richmond police Capt. Mark Gagan said crime scene technicians found a sandwich bag full of methamphetamine and “other bags” of marijuana.

Gagan said the drugs and gun could help explain the suspect’s actions:

“I’m not going to speculate on the suspect’s motives, but him being armed with a firearm and drugs sizable enough for sale is a relevant factor in this incident.”

Around 1:30 p.m., an officer on patrol in the 2000 block of Nevin Avenue tried to speak with a man who the officer believed was suspicious. The suspect allegedly pulled out a semi-automatic pistol with an extended magazine and the officer shot him, Gagan said.

The suspect was transported to a local trauma center in critical condition and Gagan said the man was in surgery just before 4 p.m. The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office is investigating the case, Gagan said.