7th & Wilson, Santa Rosa | Google Maps
SANTA ROSA – According to a recent Community Bulletin by the Santa Rosa Police Department (SRPD), officers in the area of 7th Street and Wilson Street were investigating a reported disturbance shortly after 1:15 a.m. on Sunday, August 7.
When SRPD officers arrived at the scene, they attempted to contact a male subject regarding the disturbance. The subject refused to follow their directions and started to quickly walk away. While the suspect was walking away from them, he continually made motions with his hand as if he were reaching for a firearm in his clothing.
An officer fired several rounds from a less lethal device, which struck the suspect. Despite being struck by the less lethal rounds, the suspect did not appear to be affected and continued to walk away.
Another officer was able to successfully deploy a Taser on the suspect that caused him to stop walking and fall forward to the ground. They were then able to safely handcuff the suspect without any further incident. Officers arrested Edward Ballard, a 49-year-old Santa Rosa resident. Ballard did not have a firearm, but he made several statements about wanting to be shot by authorities.
Ballard was treated at a local hospital for minor injuries and booked into the Sonoma County Jail on charges of resisting arrest and an active parole violation.
