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Video: Calif. LEOs fatally shoot bat-wielding man

The video shows the suspect advancing on police officers with a baseball bat and not complying with orders to stop

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By Amanda Lien

SAN LEANDRO, Calif. — San Leandro police released a video Wednesday containing audio recordings of dispatcher conversation and body camera footage of a fatal officer-involved shooting that occurred over the weekend.

On Saturday afternoon, a Walmart security staffer alerted police to a man who staff said was trying to steal from the store while waving a baseball bat and threatening customers and employees, The East Bay Times reports.

“When officers arrived, they found Steven Taylor near the front of the store, holding the baseball bat,” San Leandro police Chief Jeff Tudor says in the video. “Mr. Taylor was ordered multiple times to put down the weapon, but he did not comply.”

Video shows Taylor threatening an officer with the baseball bat. The officer deployed a TASER, but it was ineffective in stopping Taylor from advancing on the officer.

“Ultimately, (the officer) also deployed a service weapon and tragically, Mr. Taylor died at the scene,” Tudor says in the video.

In a statement in the video, Tudor said the department will not be identifying the officers involved due to threats of violence against them.

“This incident has gotten much attention in our community,” he said. “And that’s why we’re releasing this video now before the investigation is complete, so that we can provide as much information as possible to our community, as the process continues.”