Full Notification

This release is a summary of the facts known at this time. This is an active investigation. The information provided in this release is preliminary and subject to change.

On Thursday, December 19, 2019, at 3:41 a.m., officers from the Davis Police Department (DPD) were dispatched to 435 Avocet Avenue regarding a report from Carol Gray that her son was being verbally aggressive and making non-specific threats. The emergency phone call ended with what sounded like a physical altercation.

DPD officers arrived on scene at approximately 3:48 a.m. Within minutes of arriving, the officers saw a person, later identified by the Yolo County Coroner as Carol Gray, under a sheet inside the residence. They were able to see her through a front window. They also saw a male subject, later identified by the Yolo County Coroner as Christopher Gray, in the front room. Officers made entry into the residence and, within minutes, shot Christopher Gray after he advanced at them with a knife.

Despite efforts by officers and responding emergency medical personnel to save both Carol and Christopher, they both died at the scene. Although the Yolo County Coroner is responsible for releasing information regarding the cause and manner of death, the death of Carol Gray is being investigated by DPD as a homicide.

There were five DPD officers involved in this incident. Three officers discharged their firearm. Their names are being released in response to a Public Records Act request.

• Corporal Alex Torres; 7 ½ years of experience.
• Officer Ben Adams; 15 ½ years of experience.
• Officer Francisco Talavera; 14 ½ years of experience.

One of the officers involved was injured, treated by medical personnel and released with a finger splint. The officers involved in the shooting were placed on paid administrative leave following the incident, but have since returned to regular duty.

Pursuant to DPD policy, there are several independent investigations relating to this incident taking place.

• Investigators from the West Sacramento Police Department and the Yolo County District Attorney’s Office are conducting an independent investigation to determine whether the involved officers used reasonably necessary deadly force relating to this incident. Their investigation will be turned over to the Yolo County District Attorney for review and findings.

• The Professional Standards Division of the Davis Police Department is conducting an investigation to determine whether the officers were in compliance with Department policies relating to this incident. The internal investigation will be reviewed by the City of Davis Independent Police Auditor.

• Detectives from the Davis Police Department are investigating the death of Carol Gray.

The investigations are complex and require detailed examination of all facts and evidence. It is normal for the investigations to take several months or more to complete.

The Davis Police Department recognizes the significance of this incident and the impact it has on our community. We are committed to providing timely information and communicating openly with our community.

Today, DPD will release portions of video and audio material related to this incident as well as a response to a Public Records Act request for premise history information at 435 Avocet Avenue. The material consists of two (2) body-worn camera videos, a recording of the phone call Carol Gray made on the emergency line to DPD dispatch and police radio traffic relating to this incident.

The two (2) body-worn camera videos begin as the officers arrive on scene. All video and audio being released has been redacted to ensure the confidentiality and privacy of those involved. The faces have been blurred and audio redactions are signified by muted audio with no accompanying sound. The remainder of video and audio related to this incident will be released within 45 days of the incident. The Police Department is releasing this material to provide information quickly to our community.

https://www.cityofdavis.org/city-hall/officer-involved-shootings

*** These videos contain graphic images and may be upsetting to some people. Viewer discretion is advised. If the links do not direct you to the web page, cut and paste the link in your web browser.
http://documents.cityofdavis.org/Media/Default/Documents/PDF/Police/Public-Info/Critical-Inc-12-19-19/All-Files.zip
http://documents.cityofdavis.org/Media/Default/Documents/PDF/Police/Public-Info/Critical-Inc-12-19-19/BWC-1-Davis-Police-OIS-12-19-2019.mp4
http://documents.cityofdavis.org/Media/Default/Documents/PDF/Police/Public-Info/Critical-Inc-12-19-19/BWC-2-Davis-Police-OIS-12-19-2019.mp4
http://documents.cityofdavis.org/Media/Default/Documents/PDF/Police/Public-Info/Critical-Inc-12-19-19/Emergency-Call-from-Victim-Davis-Police-OIS-12-19-2019.mp3
http://documents.cityofdavis.org/Media/Default/Documents/PDF/Police/Public-Info/Critical-Inc-12-19-19/Premise-History-435-Avocet-Davis-Police-OIS-12-19-2019.pdf
http://documents.cityofdavis.org/Media/Default/Documents/PDF/Police/Public-Info/Critical-Inc-12-19-19/Radio-Dispatch1-DavisPolice-OIS-12-19-2019.mp3
http://documents.cityofdavis.org/Media/Default/Documents/PDF/Police/Public-Info/Critical-Inc-12-19-19/Radio-Dispatch2-DavisPolice-OIS-12-19-2019.mp3
http://documents.cityofdavis.org/Media/Default/Documents/PDF/Police/Public-Info/Critical-Inc-12-19-19/Radio-Dispatch3-DavisPolice-OIS-12-19-2019.mp3
http://documents.cityofdavis.org/Media/Default/Documents/PDF/Police/Public-Info/Critical-Inc-12-19-19/Radio-Dispatch4-DavisPolice-OIS-12-19-2019.mp3
http://documents.cityofdavis.org/Media/Default/Documents/PDF/Police/Public-Info/Critical-Inc-12-19-19/Radio-Dispatch5-DavisPolice-OIS-12-19-2019.mp3
http://documents.cityofdavis.org/Media/Default/Documents/PDF/Police/Public-Info/Critical-Inc-12-19-19/Radio-Dispatch6-DavisPolice-OIS-12-19-2019.mp3
http://documents.cityofdavis.org/Media/Default/Documents/PDF/Police/Public-Info/Critical-Inc-12-19-19/Radio-Dispatch7-DavisPolice-OIS-12-19-2019.mp3
http://documents.cityofdavis.org/Media/Default/Documents/PDF/Police/Public-Info/Critical-Inc-12-19-19/Radio-Dispatch8-DavisPolice-OIS-12-19-2019.mp3
http://documents.cityofdavis.org/Media/Default/Documents/PDF/Police/Public-Info/Critical-Inc-12-19-19/Radio-Dispatch9-DavisPolice-OIS-12-19-2019.mp3