Full Notification

Incident:                      Assault With a Deadly Weapon 
Report Number:          23-4991
Occurred Date :           November 14th, 2023
Occurred Time:            6:43 PM
Location:                      400 Block of East Washington Street
Prepared by:                Acting Sergeant Art Farinha
 
Incident Summary:
 
On November 14th, 2023, at 6:43 pm, the Petaluma Police Department received reports of a disturbance, which was occurring at a restaurant in the 400 block of East Washington Street.  It was reported that a male subject was inside the restaurant, and he was actively trying to hit customers with a glass beer bottle.    
 
Officers arrived on scene and found the male suspect, Damion Grissom (49), still inside the restaurant.  Grissom was still holding the glass bottle and he refused officers commands to drop the bottle.  Grissom ultimately retreated to the dining area of the restaurant while still holding the bottle.  Officers facilitated an evacuation of the restaurant.  Officers attempted to communicate with Grissom, however he positioned himself at a table in the dining area and he refused to converse with any of the officers on scene.   
 
Several members of the Petaluma Police Department’s Crisis Response Team (CRT), and Investigations Team responded. Additionally, a Crisis Intervention Specialist with the SAFE team was summoned to assist.  Continuous attempts to negotiate with Grissom were unsuccessful, as he continued to sit at the table, and he refused to drop the glass bottle.  The Investigations Team obtained a warrant for the arrest of Grissom for Assault with a Deadly Weapon and for violating his Post Release Community Supervision (PRCS).
 
 At 9:09 pm, two hours and twenty six minutes after officers arrived on scene, Grissom attempted to flee the restaurant while still holding the bottle.  Officers grabbed a hold of Grissom and he began to struggle with the officers.  One officer grabbed a hold of the beer bottle and disarmed Grissom, while another officer took Grissom to the ground.  Grissom continued to struggle and resist the officers as they were placing him into handcuffs.            
 
Grissom was placed under arrest for 245 PC; Assault With a Deadly Weapon, and 3452 PC; Violating Post Release Community Supervision.

As a precaution, he was taken to a local hospital where he was medically cleared.  Grissom was then transported and booked into the Sonoma County Jail.   
 
 Media inquiries can be directed to Lieutenant Garrett Glaviano at (707)778-4439.