The State Department of Justice has concluded its lengthy investigation into a CHP Officer-involved shooting that left a South Redding man dead more than 3 years ago. On the afternoon of February 9th, 2023, the CHP got a report of a driver on Interstate 5 brandishing a rifle out the driver’s side window of a Ford sedan. The 9-1-1 caller provided a description and license plate number and said the car had exited the freeway at South Bonnyview. The registration was traced to an address on Island Drive off Girvan and about 20 minutes later a CHP Officer arrived at the home and saw the car in the driveway, with 31-year-old David Lawrence Couch the Third sitting in the driver’s seat. The officer approached with his gun drawn and told Couch to put his hands up. Couch was apparently uncooperative and tried to fight the officer, who then pulled out his Taser and used it on Couch, but it had no effect. The struggle continued and the officer dropped the Taser on the ground. When Couch picked it up and tried to use it, the officer shot him with his gun. After 9 days in critical condition, Couch died of his injuries. Authorities never said if a rifle was found in the car. State law requires the Attorney General to investigate any fatal shooting of an unarmed civilian by law enforcement. In this case, the officer was found to be acting in self defense, but the AG did make some policy recommendations about waiting for backup, as well as using distance and cover when engaging a high-risk suspect at gunpoint.
-Steve Gibson