NCJ Number
132564
Journal
Law and Order Volume: 39 Issue: 9 Dated: (September 1991) Pages: 128-132,134
Date Published
1991
Length
6 pages
Annotation
An April 1991 incident in which the Sacramento County (Calif.) Sheriff's Department responded to a major hostage situation demonstrated police agency responses that may aid the administrative and command personnel in other agencies in preparing to respond to hostage and terrorist situations in their communities.
Abstract
The hostage incident began as an apparent bungled robbery attempt, when four armed Asian males took 48-50 hostages; the hostages were all the customers and employees of a consumer electronics store. The law enforcement response was marked by interagency cooperation, careful coordination, the deployment of tactical units, and several hours of negotiations. After two hostages were shot in the leg, the police decided that an immediate attack was necessary. The attack resulted in the deaths of 3 suspects and 3 hostages and the wounding of the fourth suspect and 11 additional hostages. Without the prompt action, the police are convinced that many more hostages would have been killed. Their efforts during and after the incident also involved handling media relations and bystanders.