Screen shot from a Sheriff’s Department in-car camera appears to show Andrew Biscay, 40 of Chowchilla, taking a shooting stance as he advances towards deputies. Photo courtesy SLO County Sheriff’s Department
County Sheriff’s deputies in Los Osos shot and killed a Chowchilla man involved in a domestic disturbance incident.
The call started about 12:08 a.m. Wednesday, July 2 when deputies were dispatched to a “suspicious circumstances” report in the 2300 block of Fresno St., Los Osos. Such a designation could literally be anything from a harmless misunderstanding to a prowler, or in this case a reportedly violent, and armed man alarming a woman.
According to a news release from Sheriff’s spokeswoman, Grace Norris, “The reporting party expressed concern for her safety due to the presence of a male suspect, known to her, who was reportedly in the area of her residence.”
Norris said the suspect “was described as having a history of violent behavior and being known to possess weapons.”
Photo shows the actual Baretta PX4 Storm semi-automatic pellet gun the Sheriff’s Department said was being pointed at deputies by Andrew Biscay of Chowchilla when they shot and killed him after a suspicious subject report from a
frightened woman.
Deputies responded to the scene and made contact with the woman, ensuring she was safe. “While one deputy was speaking with the reporting party, “ Norris said, “additional deputies arrived on scene to search the area for the subject.”
A short time later, the suspect was seen nearby sitting in a small pickup with a camper shell. “As deputies made contact,” Norris said, “the man, a 40-year-old from Chowchilla (Calif.) presented a handgun. Both deputies on scene fired their service weapons. The subject was struck and went to the ground.”
She added that deputies immediately radioed that shots had been fired and called for an ambulance and backup. An ambulance arrived on scene about 12:15 a.m. and deputies reportedly continued to administer aid to the fallen man. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The Sheriff’s Department launched an immediate investigation into the deputy-involved shooting of the man, who was later identified as Andrew Biscay, 40 of Chowchilla, a small Central Valley town in Merced County.
Detectives and “members of the Sheriff’s Executive Team” responded to the scene.
Later the same day, the Sheriff’s Department released results of their investigation and further detailed what happened to cost a man his life.
“The Sheriff’s Detective Division,” Norris said, “has downloaded the in-car camera footage from the patrol unit driven by the involved deputies. Upon arriving on scene, assisting deputies located Biscay inside of his vehicle, which was within close proximity of the reporting party’s address.
“Biscay immediately exited his vehicle,” Norris continued, “took a shooting stance while pointing a handgun at the arriving deputies.”
She said Biscay “advanced toward their position. Deputies gave multiple commands to Biscay, and he continued to advance toward deputies resulting in the deputies discharging their service weapons toward Biscay.”
After he went down, she added that deputies immediately started rendering medical aid. They found a handgun beside him. The car dash camera showed what happened and why deputies shot him.
“A still image from the in-car camera,” Norris said, “captured immediately prior to the shooting, shows Biscay pointing the weapon at deputies.” She added that they were releasing that screen shot “as part of our commitment to transparency.”
The gun turned out to not be so deadly after all. The weapon was a Baretta PX4 Storm semi-automatic pellet gun.
The Sheriff’s department released a photo of that pellet gun next to a real Beretta PX4 Storm .40-caliber handgun and the similarity is remarkable.
Norris added that the detectives continue to investigate the shooting, which is a rare occurrence in the County Sheriff’s Department, and for all SLO County law enforcement agencies.
She said both deputies involved in the shooting were put on administrative leave while they continue to investigate and the department would release more information as it becomes available.
