Man fatally shot by Fullerton police brandished gun, officials say

A man suspected of assaulting his boss was shot and killed by a Fullerton police officer after raising a gun, officials said Thursday.

The shooting occurred Wednesday outside a clothing manufacturing business when the suspect, who was believed to have left the area, returned and raised a gun toward the officers, victim and surrounding witnesses, said Sgt. Jeff Stuart.

“That’s a threat,” Stuart said.

When a caller notified the Fullerton Police Department at 6:12 p.m. that an employee was allegedly assaulting his boss, two Fullerton officers were dispatched, Stuart said.

The caller had indicated that no weapons were visible, he said.

The suspect appeared to be gone when the officers arrived to the 1400 block of East Valencia Drive, officials said.

When the suspect returned and raised a gun, the officer fired to protect himself and others present, officials said.

The suspect, whose identity has not been released, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Fullerton Police Department has contacted the Orange County district attorney’s office to conduct an independent investigation of the incident, officials said.

In recent months, the conduct of Fullerton Police Department officers has been under intense scrutiny. Three former police officers have been charged in the death of Kelly Thomas, a homeless man who was allegedly beaten and killed by officers in 2011.

The incident sparked political unrest and community involvement.

Two former officers, Manuel Ramos and Jay Cincinelli, were charged in September 2011. Ramos was charged with second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter. Cicinelli was charged with involuntary manslaughter and excessive use of force.

A third officer, Joseph Wolfe, was later charged with involuntary manslaughter and excessive use of force. Their trials are upcoming.

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Twitter: @emfoxhall

emily.foxhall@latimes.com