Fremont police release more details about man fatally shot by officers at assisted living facility

FREMONT — Police have identified a man fatally shot by officers July 24 at an assisted living facility where he had allegedly been holding hostages with a gun.

In a Fremont Police Department news release, the man killed was identified as Edward Francis Oliver, 62, of Newark.

The officers involved in the shooting were identified in the release as Ryan Higgins, an 11-year law enforcement veteran, Michael Holback, a 6-year-law enforcement veteran, Mohammed Barakat, a 4-year law enforcement veteran and Raymond Hensley, a 2-year law enforcement veteran. Authorities did not say which officers had fired their weapons or how many rounds they had fired.

The deadly confrontation happened about 3:38 p.m. July 24 at an assisted living facility in the 3800 block of Walnut Avenue.

Police said that dispatchers had received multiple calls from the facility with callers describing a man having a gun and saying that individuals were being held hostage.

Multiple police officers responded and located Oliver “holding an apparent firearm,” the release said. He was located inside a community room and “directed his attention to two individuals who were also inside with him,” the release said.

During the interaction, officers shot Oliver, the release said. Police did not say in the release what he was actually holding when confronted or if it was a replica firearm.

The California Department of Justice has begun an investigation, which under state law happens when a person shot by police is considered unarmed.

After officers provided trauma care, Oliver was transported to a hospital and pronounced deceased. No residents were injured in the confrontation.

It was later determined that an involved officer sustained minor injuries and was treated on scene.

Fremont police referred inquiries to the DOJ but said it would release additional information when appropriate and in accordance with state laws. The DOJ told this news organization it could not comment because the investigation is still active.

Anyone with information regarding the shooting is asked to contact the Fremont Police Investigations Unit at 510-790-6900. Anonymous tips are accepted by texting ‘Tip FremontPD’ followed by your short message to 888-777 or via the web at fremontpolice.gov/Tip.