Man shot by San Leandro police died from self-inflicted gunshot

SAN LEANDRO — Despite being wounded by police bullets, a man who was undergoing a mental health crisis May 7 actually died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to information in a video of the confrontation released Thursday by authorities.

The death of David McAlpin, 39, has been ruled a suicide by the Alameda County Coroner’s Bureau.

The confrontation began about 8:05 p.m. May 7 after a friend of McAlpin’s called San Leandro police from another state to express concern about his well-being, saying McAlpin had said he was contemplating self-harm.

Police went to McAlpin’s home but could not locate him there. They were able to reach him by phone, and Officer Tian Qiu said police just wanted to make sure he was all right and to get him some help if necessary. McAlpin expressed concern about being placed under a psychiatric hold, but was told that was not the plan.

He finally told police he was in his vehicle at the Marina where a number of officers responded, including Qiu, Caleb Schwitters and Ismael Navarro. All had their body cameras on when they approached McAlpin, according to a San Leandro Police video released this week.

Qiu began talking with McAlpin from outside the vehicle, saying he was not in any trouble and that police just wanted to make sure he was alright and did not have any weapons, like a gun or knives.

According to the video, McAlpin said he did not have any weapons and at one point showed his empty hands. But he did say he was feeling depressed and did not want to go to a hospital, eventually admitting that he had previously intended to harm himself but had changed his mind. Qiu said since McAlpin had considered harming himself, he would have to be evaluated at a hospital.

During the 10-minute discussion, Qiu repeatedly but unsuccessfully tried to convince McAlpin to come out of the vehicle.

Finally, as Qiu and another officer tried opening the driver’s door, McAlpin allegedly reached for a pistol, prompting Schwitters, Navarro and a third officer to open fire on him; Qiu did not fire his weapon. The body cameras did not actually record him producing the semi-automatic pistol, which was later recovered in the vehicle.

The officers backed off after firing and could see McAlpin was still moving inside the vehicle. They kept urging him to stop moving and make his hands visible.

About 50 seconds later, McAlpin shot himself in the head. The officers then got McAlpin out of the vehicle and began life-saving measures, but he died at the scene.

The coroner’s bureau said it was determined May 13 that the manner of death was suicide, with the cause being a gunshot wound to the head.

According to prior media accounts, Schwitters shot two men inside a vehicle in January 2022 who were suspects in a cannabis dispensary burglary after one reached for a gun. Both survived.

It was not clear Friday if the officers remained on administrative leave or if investigations by the department, city and district attorney’s office were ongoing. San Leandro police did not immediately respond to questions about the incident.

If you or someone you know is struggling with feelings of depression or suicidal thoughts, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline offers free, round-the-clock support, information and resources for help. Call or text the lifeline at 988, or see the 988lifeline.org website, where chat is available.