Charges Filed Against Man Shot By Berkeley Police Officer

BERKELEY, CA — Prosecutors have charged an alleged robber who Berkeley police shot last Saturday after he is accused of advancing on officers with a metal chain.

Vincent Bryant, 51, is in the hospital and is expected to live following the events Saturday night Jan. 2 that started at Walgreens at 2190 Shattuck Ave. Bryant has been charged with second-degree robbery, assault on a police officer, and resisting arrest.

Bryant had selected about $14 of goods from Walgreens Saturday night and allegedly gave the cashier only $1 before walking toward the exit, according to a probable cause statement by police Officer Christopher Bonaventure.

A store employee confronted Bryant and told him that he must pay more, but Bryant allegedly pulled out a metal chain and "threatened to break all the windows," Bonaventure wrote.

The employee left the store and called police. Bryant also allegedly left Walgreens and officers located him on Bancroft Way.

When they tried to detain him, Bryant walked into the courtyard of the Tang Center, at 2222 Bancroft Way, where he allegedly threatened officers with a chain, according to police.

An officer trained in negotiations with suspects tried to de-escalate the situation, but Bryant apparently continued to act erratically.

He allegedly advanced on officers when they tried to arrest him. Officers then shot Bryant with less-than-lethal weapons. One officer fired his gun at Bryant, striking him, police said.

Bryant was taken to a hospital and the officer who fired his weapon was placed on administrative leave. Police are not yet releasing the name of the officer who fired his gun.

Police will release body-camera video of the shooting on their YouTube page, Berkeley police spokesman Officer Byron White said.

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