Stanislaus Sheriff’s releases video of leading up to rooftop suicide after shooting at deputies

The Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office released video showing the moments leading up to when a man earlier involved in a vehicle pursuit fatally shot himself atop a Modesto business late Wednesday.

The video, released Friday, is a one-minute, 52-second compilation of body camera video, 911 dispatch audio and drone video of the suspect on top of a roof in the 100 block of Empire Avenue. The incident started around 10:54 p.m. and ended at 12:19 a.m.

Shots can be heard in the video from one deputy’s body camera. The video shows the deputy run for cover when the first shot is fired. Two more shots were fired, which Sheriff’s Officials say were in the direction of deputies. A fourth shot occurred when the suspect took his own life, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

The video starts with body camera footage of a deputy driving to catch up with the suspect, later identified as 24-year-old Aaron Osgood, who was seen driving recklessly on Yosemite Boulevard on Wednesday night.

A drone was deployed and confirmed that Osgood was on the roof. Several announcements were made for Osgood to surrender, but he did not comply, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

Through the drone, Osgood was seen crawling to different areas of the rooftop.

At 11:15 p.m. Osgood crawled toward the edge of the roof facing the location where a group of deputies were standing and fired the three shots, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies immediately took cover and did not return fire because they did not have a clear shot. “Where is he? Where is he?” one deputy is heard asking in the video.

After broadcasting over the radio that shots had been fired, about 10 officers from the Modesto and Ceres police departments responded to assist the 10 deputies already on scene.

While maintaining drone surveillance, a team made up of deputies and officers was created to make contact with Osgood.

The Modesto Fire Department was asked to respond to the scene to provide ladders that could be used to access the rooftop of the warehouse.

Low temperatures left a thin layer of ice on the rooftop, slowing the deputy and officer’s approach to Osgood, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

At about 12:19 a.m. deputies contacted Osgood and confirmed he was dead due to a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

A firearm was located near his right hand, which was later determined to be stolen, along with the vehicle he was driving. A records check revealed Osgood also had several felony arrest warrants, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

The video released by the Sheriff’s Office includes a written message extending condolences to Osgood’s family, some of whom viewed the video before its public release Friday, according to Lt. Tom Letras.

The video ends with phone numbers of resources for people in crises, including Regional Suicide Prevention and Crisis Services at 800-273-talk. People can also call 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.