LAKEPORT >> A Lakeport Police sergeant fired a Taser at a man who allegedly approached him with a knife as officers responded to reports of a domestic disturbance on Friday afternoon.
Lizardo Elias Velasquez, 50, was taken into custody after being knocked down by the device.
The incident began when two officers and a sergeant were dispatched to a residence in the 1000 block of Martin Street to investigate the report of a man threatening to stab his 61 year old female cohabitant. According to Lakeport Police Chief Brad Rasmussen, Velasquez refused to open the door and stated that if officers did not leave he would “Blow them up.”
The woman opened the back door for officers and informed them she was afraid Velasquez would use his knife.
“The Sergeant ordered the female to a safe location and then approached the porch,” Rasmussen said in a press statement. “At this time, Velasquez who was not currently armed with a weapon came to the open back door, saw the Sergeant and then ran back inside.”
During the pursuit into the house, police say Velasquez entered the kitchen and picked up a knife. He allegedly ignored an order to drop the weapon and an warning not to step toward the officers with the knife in hand.
Rasmussen reported that the sergeant fired his Taser as Velasquez approached, connecting with both darts. Velasquez fell to the floor, dropping the knife in the process.
Velasquez was transported to Sutter Lakeside Hospital for medical clearance due to the Taser deployment. He was then transported to the Lake County Jail for booking.
“During transport to the jail, Velasquez told the Sergeant that if he had possessed a gun he would have shot him and that he wanted to kill the police who arrived,” Rasmussen said.
Velasquez was booked for domestic violence, terrorist threats, exhibiting a deadly weapon, resisting a peace officer, assault on a peace officer and for an outstanding warrant.
“The department is thankful that our sergeant and officers were not injured and commends them for their use of good tactics in this situation which could have turned deadly,” the chief added.
