Donald Haynes, a 45-year-old parolee from Stockton, CA, died on February 9, 2014, following a violent confrontation with police. The incident began when Stockton Police officers, who were investigating an assault case from the previous night, identified Haynes as a suspect. Haynes was a passenger in a vehicle that officers stopped. Upon exiting the vehicle, he confronted an officer with a 19.5-inch bayonet.
Despite repeated commands to drop the weapon, Haynes did not comply, prompting the officer to shoot him multiple times. Haynes fell to the ground but continued to resist, leading officers to deploy a K-9 unit and use a baton to subdue him. He was subsequently taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The night before his death, Haynes was involved in an assault on a woman, which led to the police pursuit. During the confrontation, Haynes reportedly declared that officers would have to kill him, and he managed to escape. The officer who fired the shots, identified as Robert Johnson III, was placed on a three-day paid administrative leave following the incident.
The shooting sparked controversy and criticism from community leaders, including former Stockton City Council member Ralph White. White claimed to possess cell phone videos showing that Haynes had his arms in the air when he was shot, and he called for an independent investigation into the use of force by the Stockton Police Department. The San Joaquin County District Attorney's Office conducted an investigation into the shooting, reviewing the facts to determine if any criminal charges should be filed. The investigation involved multiple agencies, including the Stockton Police Department, SST Forensics, and the Department of Justice.
Haynes' death highlighted ongoing concerns about police use of force in Stockton, particularly within the Black community. Community leaders and activists called for changes in police policies and greater accountability to prevent similar incidents in the future.
