Newport Beach police said the motorcyclist killed by an officer during a traffic check on Thursday, April 17, assaulted the officer, stole the officer’s Taser, and attempted to use it on him several times.
Around 9:15 p.m., officers pulled over 45-year-old Geoffrey Shyam Stirling of Laguna Niguel for an unidentified driving violation on Coast Highway between Superior Avenue and Hoag Hospital.
During the stop, he became combative and assaulted the officer, taking the Taser from the officer’s duty belt and attempting to use it on the officer several times, according to police, before being fatally shot.
A guy with the same name was set to appear in court on Monday, April 21, on a felony arson-of-property charge, according to Orange County court records.
The California Department of Justice is conducting an independent investigation into the shooting.
The Newport Beach Police Department encouraged anyone with knowledge about the case to contact them.
