COMMUNITY DEBRIEF VIDEO: MADISON AVENUE HOSTAGE & FIRE INCIDENT
 
On Saturday, June 25, 2022, at approximately 3:22a.m., the sheriff’s communications center received a 911 hang-up call on the 3900 block of Madison Avenue. Upon arrival, deputies contacted a woman outside of her residence who said she allowed her estranged boyfriend to visit the child they had in common; she did not initially tell deputies she had a restraining order against him.  She and the father of her child had been consuming alcohol together when a verbal altercation between the two turned physically violent. The male subject retreated into a bedroom with their two-year-old son and a large knife which he held to the toddler's throat. Deputies attempted to de-escalate the situation and build rapport with the male with the hope of getting him to release the child and come out of the room.  He refused and instead began setting fire to the bedroom he was in with the child.  Deputies requested the Sheriff’s Office Special Enforcement Detail (SED), Critical Incident Negotiation Team and Metro Fire to assist while they evacuated several adjacent apartments from the rapidly growing and spreading fire. Through a joint effort, first responders were finally able to reach and remove both the adult male and toddler from the fire.
 
The child was initially not breathing when he was extricated from the structure and the immediate area of the fire. After a short time, he began breathing again. Sacramento Metropolitan Fire Personnel then took over the care of the 2-year-old victim and transported him to the hospital that was best suited to treat his trauma and burns.  He suffered injuries related smoke inhalation and carbon monoxide exposure in addition to burn wounds.  He was discharged from the hospital on July 11, 2022 and has been placed with a foster family that is facilitating his rehabilitation care regimen.
 
The adult male was initially unresponsive.  After removal from the smoke, he became increasingly alert, and then combative. The suspect was transported to a local area hospital where he underwent extensive care to treat burns and damage caused by significant smoke inhalation.  He was discharged from the hospital on July 13, 2022 and booked into the Sacramento County Main Jail for charges related to this incident.
 
The material being released has been identified as significant to this incident and includes original 911 calls, in-car camera video, body cam video and private surveillance video.  All videos being released have been minimally redacted to ensure the confidentiality and privacy of those involved.  This is an active investigation. The information provided in this video release is preliminary and subject to change as investigators learn more.  For media Inquiries regarding this incident or video, please contact Sheriff’s Lieutenant Rod Grassmann Rgrassmann@sacsheriff.com or Metro Fire Captain Parker Wilbourn Wilbourn.parker@metrofire.ca.gov