Officer fatally shoots man waving replica gun in SLO neighborhood, police say
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Update, 10:50 p.m.:
Police say a man shot and killed by an officer in a San Luis Obispo neighborhood on Saturday was holding a replica firearm at the time of the incident.
According to a news release Saturday evening, the San Luis Obispo Police Department received several 911 calls for a man in the 900 block of El Capitan Way “shouting aggressively and waving a firearm” at around 4:46 p.m.
Officers found a man near the intersection of Poinsettia Street and Bluebell Way “who was actively yelling and holding what appeared to be a handgun.”
“An officer confronting the threat discharged their weapon, striking the subject one time,” the release said. “Despite life-saving efforts, the male was declared deceased at the scene.”
The man’s identity was being withheld pending notification of next of kin.
Police said no officers or other community members were injured during the incident.
According to the release, what was initially thought to be a firearm turned out to be a replica.
The Police Department said per state law and department policy, an investigation will be conducted by the California Department of Justice. The department said it would “cooperate fully with the investigation” and that body-worn camera footage would be released at a later date in accordance with the law.
“Any loss of life is tragic,” the release said. “The San Luis Obispo Police Department acknowledges and is saddened by the impact of this incident on those involved, their families, our employees and our community. “
According to the release, the officer involved in the shooting “has been placed on administrative leave consistent with department policy.”
Original story:
One person is dead following an officer-involved shooting in a San Luis Obispo neighborhood on Saturday evening.
According to a San Luis Obispo Police Department post on X, police were at Poinsettia Street and Bluebell Way as of 8:22 p.m. “for a critical incident involving an officer-involved shooting.”
The Police Department said a suspect was pronounced dead at the scene and “the community is not at further risk.
People were asked to avoid the area for “the next several hours.”
Further details on the circumstances of the incident were not immediately available as of Saturday evening.
This story was originally published February 28, 2026 at 8:38 PM.
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