Bodycam Footage Shows Fatal Shooting Of Suspect Carrying Hatchet

 

The Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office has announced that no charges will be filed against the two San Jose police officers involved in the fatal shooting of a man at the Metcalf Energy Center in January 2018. After an extensive investigation, authorities determined that the use of deadly force was legally justified under the circumstances.

The incident occurred on the evening of January 9, 2018, when Thompson Nguyen, a 27-year-old San Jose resident, drove to the Metcalf Energy Center on Blanchard Road. According to the District Attorney’s report, Nguyen climbed over the plant’s security fence and began wandering around the facility while armed with a variety of weapons. He carried a hatchet in one hand and a metal staff in the other, and was later found to be in possession of a disturbing arsenal.

When officers searched Nguyen’s belongings after the shooting, they discovered he had another hatchet, three pipes, seven knives, nunchucks, a sword, and a GoPro camera, which appeared to be recording his actions. The scene suggested that Nguyen had come prepared for a violent confrontation.

Officers Adam Hutson and Timothy Faye were dispatched to the facility shortly after 5:00 p.m. in response to a report of a trespasser carrying weapons. Upon arrival, they encountered Nguyen, who appeared agitated and refused to drop his weapons. Body-worn camera footage released by the DA’s Office shows that the officers repeatedly attempted to de-escalate the situation. They followed Nguyen around the facility and issued commands to stop and drop his weapons nearly 30 times over the course of several minutes.

Nguyen did not comply with the officers’ requests. Instead, he shouted disturbing phrases such as “Shoot me!” and “Kill me!”, appearing to deliberately provoke the officers. At one point, an officer can be heard responding, “We don’t want to shoot.” Despite their efforts, Nguyen continued moving toward them, still holding the hatchet and metal staff.

The situation escalated quickly as Nguyen closed the distance between himself and the officers. When he approached within striking range while still armed, the officers fired their weapons. According to the District Attorney’s findings, the decision to use lethal force was made when Nguyen posed a direct and immediate threat to their safety.

Nguyen was struck by gunfire and pronounced dead at the scene. A subsequent search of his vehicle revealed troubling contents, including a fake police badge and handwritten journals. In the journals, Nguyen claimed that employees at the Metcalf Energy Center had implanted microchips in his brain. Authorities also confirmed that Nguyen had a history of mental illness, which may have played a significant role in the confrontation.

In a public statement, Prosecutor David Boyd explained the legal reasoning behind the decision not to charge the officers. He said, “Any reasonable officer would conclude that Nguyen, whether as a result of a mental health issue or not, had decided that he was going to die that day—and that if he had to attack an officer with a weapon to make it happen, he was going to do so.”

The body camera footage supported the officers’ account of the incident, showing a consistent effort to avoid using lethal force. The footage and findings were released to the public to ensure transparency and provide clarity in a case that could have otherwise generated significant controversy.

The incident highlights the challenges law enforcement officers face when responding to individuals in mental health crises, particularly when weapons are involved. Although tragic, the District Attorney’s Office concluded that Officers Hutson and Faye acted in accordance with the law and their department’s use-of-force policy.