Newman officer's fatal shooting of suspect justified, Stanislaus DA rules

The fatal officer-involved shooting last year in Newman was justified, Stanislaus County District Attorney Birgit Fladager announced Thursday.

Newman Police Department Officer Edgar Lopez shot Mauro Calzada Garnica after a domestic dispute escalated to a fight with weapons at a house on Bobolink Avenue in Newman.

(Click here to read the ruling)

When Officer Lopez arrived at the scene, he saw Garnica holding a knife and stabbing at the victim, the DA's office said.

Garnica ignored the officer’s commands to drop the knife, at which time the officer fired to stop the assault.

Garnica did not survive his wounds. The female victim was treated at the scene for her injuries.

At the time of the shooting, Lopez was an eight-year veteran of the Newman Police Department.

The Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Office conducted an independent review of the incident and announced its findings on Thursday.

This story was originally published January 19, 2018 at 11:17 AM with the headline "Newman officer's fatal shooting of suspect justified, Stanislaus DA rules."