Dashcam Shows Fort Worth Officer in a Shootout With Armed Suspect

 Chula Vista, California — February 4, 2023

On Saturday evening, February 4, 2023, at around 7:45 p.m., the Chula Vista Police Department began receiving several emergency calls regarding a disturbance at an apartment complex located on the 600 block of Moss Street. According to the callers, two individuals—believed to be homeless—were possibly setting up camp in a stairwell, banging on doors, yelling, and exhibiting erratic behavior. Some residents suspected that the individuals may have been using drugs or suffering from a mental health crisis.

Responding officers arrived at the location shortly after receiving the calls. As they approached the stairwell, they encountered one of the individuals, who was later identified as 37-year-old Perri Sammarco. As officers attempted to make contact, Sammarco suddenly moved a blanket in front of him, revealing a terrifying scene—he was holding another man hostage, pressing a knife to the victim’s throat.

Officers immediately drew their weapons and began issuing loud verbal commands, ordering Sammarco to drop the knife. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, they requested backup units and additional resources, including specialized personnel trained in crisis intervention. One of the responding officers was a member of Chula Vista Police Department’s Crisis Negotiation Team and began speaking with the suspect in an attempt to de-escalate the confrontation.

Despite the negotiator’s repeated efforts, Sammarco refused to cooperate. He continued shouting threats at officers, repeatedly stating that he would kill the hostage. As the standoff continued, Sammarco maintained the knife at the victim’s throat, showing no signs of backing down. The situation remained tense and volatile, with the victim’s life hanging in the balance.

Soon, a canine officer arrived at the scene. The officer, identified as Alfonso Perdomo, is also a trained member of the department’s SWAT team. Given the deteriorating conditions and the suspect’s refusal to respond to negotiations, Officer Perdomo and a team of other officers developed a plan to approach the suspect from an adjacent apartment. They accessed a unit located to the right of the suspect by climbing through a balcony.

Once inside the neighboring apartment, Officer Perdomo carefully unlocked and cracked open the door to get a clear line of sight. At that point, with the suspect still threatening to kill the hostage and not responding to any commands, Officer Perdomo fired a single round from his department-issued rifle. The shot struck Sammarco in the head, incapacitating him instantly.

With the threat neutralized, the hostage—identified as 34-year-old Justin Holley—was able to break free and run to safety. Officers immediately moved in, secured the area, and began providing medical aid to Sammarco. Emergency medical services arrived shortly thereafter and transported both the suspect and the victim to local hospitals.

Holley, who is also experiencing homelessness, was treated for non-life-threatening injuries to his neck. Investigators later confirmed that Holley and Sammarco had not known each other prior to the incident. On the day of the event, Sammarco had reportedly threatened Holley and forced him to accompany him to the apartment complex, where the hostage situation unfolded.

Sammarco, critically injured by the gunshot, was transported to the hospital in grave condition. He succumbed to his injuries two days later, on February 6, 2023. Officer Alfonso Perdomo, the officer who fired the shot, has been with the Chula Vista Police Department for approximately five years and is currently assigned as a canine handler. No officers were injured during the incident.

The department has launched a full investigation into the shooting, as is standard in any officer-involved incident. Authorities praised the officers’ quick response and coordination, which ultimately saved the life of the hostage and prevented further harm.