GVPD Releases New Information in Officer-involved Shooting

NEVADA – Austin Wallace, 26, of Grass Valley, was named Thursday as the suspect in a Grass Valley Police Department officer-involved shooting that happened Wednesday evening off French Avenue.

Grass Valley Police Department Chief Alex Gammelgard shared new information regarding the incident Thursday afternoon.

Grass Valley Police Department officers were sent to allegations of a probable theft of parts from a vehicle around the 400 block of French Avenue around 4:18 p.m. According to officials, Wednesday, an investigation and search for the perpetrator began.

Officers heard at least one gunshot fired in the area at this time, according to a police release.

“While investigating the source of the gunfire, officers located a victim with a gunshot wound on French Avenue. That victim was identified to be the initial reporting party,” Gammelgard said in a statement. “During the search, the suspect fired at least one additional round toward a responding CHP officer standing outside his vehicle on French Avenue.”

According to police, the shot fired at the CHP officer enabled officers to better locate the offender, who subsequently engaged in a foot pursuit.

“During the foot pursuit, the suspect fired at least one additional round at pursuing officers, resulting in two Grass Valley Police officers returning fire and striking the suspect one time,” Gammelgard said.

According to police, the officer-involved incident occurred in an open space west of the 400 block of French Avenue. Wallace and the male victim were both treated for gunshot wounds and taken to nearby hospitals.

Wallace was reported in serious but stable condition as of Thursday afternoon, according to Grass Valley Police Lt. Brian Blakemore.

“As for the victim who sustained a gunshot wound, that subject’s status is unknown, but at last report, he was expected to recover from his injuries,” Blakemore said.

According to Blakemore, a firearm, identified as a revolver, was allegedly discovered from the suspect as authorities were administering treatment.

As a result of the event, at least two Grass Valley Police Department officers were placed on administrative leave. Officers from other responding agencies have not yet been placed on leave as a result of the incident.

During the event, no officers were hurt.

“Best practice is to get the officers immediately involved in the scenario, to paid administrative leave,” Blakemore said. “As the investigation continues, there’s a lot of followup involved.”

According to Blakemore, Wallace is a person known to the Grass Valley Police Department, with previous juvenile and adult contacts with officers.

“We’re happy that our officers were quick in the area, quick to respond to the suspect who was posing a danger to the public,” Blakemore said. “Luckily, none of our officers were injured in the exchange.”

French Avenue at Jenkins Street and French Avenue at Brighton Street were closed to traffic with yellow police tape on Wednesday morning. A Grass Valley Police Department patrol car was spotted nearby.

“It was clearly an evolving issue,” Blakemore said of the affair as a whole. “When you get assigned to an initial theft report and it grew into a relatively dangerous situation, you have to shift gears rapidly. Fortunately, we have outstanding police who can adjust.”

A GoFundMe page has been set up for Elliot Roberts, the suspected victim of Wallace’s shooting, at https://gofund.me/e4a5bcfd.

Credits: The Union