On Tuesday, the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office shared a 23-minute video capturing a tragic incident from March 23, in which a deputy fatally shot Christopher Gilmore, a 38-year-old man, during a confrontation outside a home in Rio Linda. The edited video includes body camera footage, 911 audio recordings, and commentary by Sheriff’s spokesman Sgt. Amar Gandhi.
The event unfolded after a distressing call reported that Gilmore, who suffered from schizophrenia, was armed with a knife and harming himself inside a bathroom. According to the caller—Gilmore’s sister—he was in a state of crisis, fearing harm from others and previously attempting “suicide by cop.” A roommate mentioned Gilmore had expressed a desire to die in this manner.
At the time of the incident, after all other occupants had vacated the premises, Gilmore remained inside alone. Despite attempts to coax him out peacefully, he eventually appeared from the garage wielding a knife. Bodycam footage shows deputies retreating while urging him to disarm and surrender. When Gilmore advanced, a deputy employed less-lethal shotgun rounds, which proved ineffective. The situation escalated quickly as Gilmore moved closer to the deputies, leading one to use lethal force. Gilmore succumbed to his injuries at the scene, after deputies had attempted emergency first aid.
The released video also shows the knife Gilmore held, with a blade approximately 3.5 inches long, and mentions the numerous self-inflicted wounds found on his body. The sheriff’s office has not disclosed the identity of the deputy involved nor their current duty status. The family’s attorneys maintain that Gilmore posed no threat to the public at the time of his death and highlight his mental health struggles.
The Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office and the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office will continue investigating the incident.
