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Police fatally shoot suspect in foot pursuit
Officers say suspect reached for waistband
Shooting scene
Albert Thompson, was fatally shot Tuesday evening by two Ceres police officers in the courtyard parking lot of apartments at 2601 Don Pedro Road at El Camino Avenue. The white Jeep had its back window shot out by rounds. - photo by JEFF BENZIGER/ Courier photo

An investigation has been launched by the Stanislaus County District Attorney's Office into Tuesday evening's fatal shooting of Albert Thompson, 28, by two Ceres Police officers.

The deadly shooting occurred at approximately 9:48 p.m. at El Camino Avenue and Don Pedro Road in Ceres. Two Ceres officers whose names have yet to be released, were placed on paid administrative leave, a standard practice whenever a suspect is killed.

The officers were visiting a small apartment complex located at 2601 Don Pedro Road where prior illegal drug activity had occurred. The officers encountered a Thompson who was inside the complex. He began to run from officers who gave chase. While still inside the court area, Thompson was seen allegedly "retrieving an item from his waist area," according to a Ceres Police Department statement. The two Ceres police officers opened fire on the man who died on scene.

A resident at the apartment complex said she an officer yelled for Thompson to stop before the sound of gunfire erupted. Bullets smashed into a white Jeep parked in the courtyard parking lot. Bullet holes were also in the fence that separates the complex from a neighboring residential property.

Sgt. Jason Coley said that an item which Thompson had been reaching for was recovered.

Thompson was classified as a transient.

Investigators from the Stanislaus County District Attorney's Office are conducting a parallel investigation alongside the Ceres Police Department, as is standard in any officer-involved shooting. An internal investigation is also being conducted by CPD's Professional Standards and Conduct Unit.