By Robert J. Hansen | OBSERVER Staff Writer
The Sacramento chapter of the NAACP on Monday denounced and condemned the police-involved shooting death of a knife-wielding man who appeared to be having a mental health crisis while riding light rail.
In a statement, the NAACP called the Aug. 15 shooting of 44-year-old Dante Day “predictable” and not an accident.
“Mr. Day, clearly overwhelmed with fear of the police officer, and without aggression, eventually stood up,” the statement read. “The immediate response was police releasing pellets [firing ‘other than lethal’ beanbags]. Mr. Day moved forward, again appearing to be despondent with fear, and the police shot him.”
The NAACP said Day was killed because of a failure by the Sacramento Police Department to use de-escalation tactics, including on-scene psychological intervention and care.
Sacramento NAACP President Betty Williams demanded an independent investigation into Day’s death. “We implore our city leaders to continue to provide support and compassion for those battling with mental health conditions.”
Officers shot and killed Day after responding to multiple calls indicating an individual was armed with a large knife and acting erratically on a Regional Transit train, police said. Bodycam footage, which The OBSERVER viewed, was released last month.
In the footage, Day is heard saying “I know y’all got to do your job but I’m scared of you.” Police are seen repeatedly asking Day to put down the knife and saying they don’t want to hurt anyone.
Police fired beanbag rounds at Day after he stood up. Day then charged officers, who then fired multiple rounds at Day, footage shows.
Several witnesses exited the train after Day got on holding the knife. Those who called 9-1-1 could not confirm Day threatened anyone.
The NAACP said it had learned another 9-1-1 caller “informed dispatch that Mr. Day asked for assistance and needed care – an important fact that was not made public.”
The NAACP statement also noted an individual remained on the light rail with Day. When officers opened the door, the individual sat calmly, not far from Day, and both appeared to be in a relaxed posture as the doors opened.
Bodycam footage does appear to show another passenger remaining on the train as police engaged with and shot Day.
The NAACP said Sacramento has an overarching issue with the way police handle those in the community battling mental health crises.
“In this case, Mr. Day was not provided with the compassionate holistic response promised by Sacramento PD,” the NAACP said. “Officers approached him with their guns drawn and, when given the opportunity, they used lethal means to end the encounter.
“We often hear phrases like ‘the officers feared for their lives.’ However, are they trained that every shot should be a kill shot? Do they not have shields that could protect them from a knife encounter?”
Calling policing and jailing mentally ill people inhumane, the NAACP advocated for prioritizing greater regional investment in community-based care and mobile crisis-support teams.
“Providing continuity of care should be investments our city and county should prioritize over investments in law enforcement,” the NAACP said.
The Office of Public Safety Accountability is conducting a concurrent, independent investigation into the shooting. The office said it was unable to provide additional details because the investigation is ongoing.