On May 20, 2022, at about 9:07 a.m., Fremont Police officers responded to assist the Fremont Fire Department (FFD) with a fire at an apartment with someone inside. The reporting party requested a welfare check of a resident, later identified as William Farris, at an apartment in the 46000 block of Winema Common. The reporting party advised that Farris had also set his apartment on fire. The reporting party tried to convince Farris to exit the apartment, but he refused to come out.
Firefighters entered the apartment to combat the fire and attempt to rescue Farris. However, Farris yelled out that he had a firearm and wanted everyone to leave. FFD personnel attempted to convince Farris to comply, however they were forced to evacuate after Farris continually made threats towards them. Due to the fire hazard, coupled with the threat of a firearm, arriving police personnel set up containment around the apartment. Numerous surrounding apartments were evacuated. FFD personnel remained on scene to address the continued fire hazard. Based on the situation, it was decided to attempt to establish communications with the resident and attempt to have him exit the apartment peacefully.
On-duty SWAT personnel trained in the use of SCBA (Self Contained Breathing Apparatus), and police negotiators were called out to the scene. Specialized equipment was also deployed including the FPD BearCat armored vehicle which is equipped to support oxygen tanks for officers and firefighters. An additional joint FPD / San Leandro PD BearCat armored vehicle also responded to the scene for additional capabilities. The joint FPD / SLPD BearCat is specially equipped with medical components as well as a firehose attachment to allow for personnel to combat fires while under the threat of gunfire.
Negotiators established communications with Farris and made numerous attempts to convince him to exit his apartment. Despite a large amount of smoke in the apartment, Farris repeatedly refused to exit the apartment. For hours, officers warned Farris that it was extremely dangerous to subject himself to the amount of smoke inhalation he was experiencing. Officers attempted to convince Farris to at least open windows and doors to better ventilate his apartment.
During the next several hours, officers tried negotiating with Farris to exit his apartment. During the negotiations, FFD personnel were forced to suppress sporadic fires from the apartment from a distance since Farris had made threats that he was armed with a firearm. Negotiations continued with Farris until about 2:53PM when officers developed a safe opportunity to contact Farris in his apartment. Farris refused to comply with officers and a short struggle occurred. Farris was then taken into custody and officers walked him outside. Once outside, Farris was provided immediate medical attention by paramedics. As Farris was receiving medical attention, he had an emergency medical episode. Farris was then transported to a hospital in critical condition. Crimes Against Persons Detectives were called out and informed that it was possible that Farris would not survive.
Farris’ condition deteriorated over the next day. On Sunday, May 22, 2022, Farris was taken off of life-support and was pronounced deceased shortly after. The Alameda County Coroner’s Office responded to the hospital to handle the death investigation to determine the cause of death.
All aspects of this incident remain under investigation by detectives. Detectives have also been coordinating with the Alameda County DA’s Office while awaiting the cause of death from the Alameda County Coroner’s Office. If anyone has information that could help with this investigation, please contact Detective Jake Blass at 510-790-6963 or via email [email protected].
We also accept and welcome anonymous tips. To send a web tip, go to https://local.nixle.com/tip/alert/5788118 or text your tip, by typing TIP FREMONTPD followed by your short message to 888777.
Incident: Arson Investigation
Report Number: 220520009
Location(s): 46000 block of Winema Common
Media Contact: Lt. Ricardo Cortes, [email protected]
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