Vallejo Police Fatally Shoot Parolee Who Had A Pellet Gun

VALLEJO (AP) -- Vallejo police say officers fatally shot a 23-year-old parolee who apparently turned at them with a weapon that turned out to be a pellet gun.

Sgt. Jeff Bassett said officers fired 30 rounds early Sunday at the man who they say saw reach for a gun.

Police say officers were conducting a routine patrol when they spotted Mario Romero and a passenger sitting inside a white Thunderbird. Bassett says officers then shot Romero when they saw the gun and fired more rounds when he apparently refused orders to show his hands.

Romero later died at a local hospital. Officers later found the pellet gun and 50 ecstasy pills.

Bassett said officers also shot Romero's passenger Joseph Johnson, who underwent surgery after he was shot five times.

The incident is Vallejo's seventh officer-involved shooting since May. Five of those shootings have been fatal.