A potentially deadly dispute among roommates caused a Santa Clara police officer to shoot the attacker to death in order to save the victim’s life.

Just before 6:30 a.m. Sept. 3, Santa Clara Police Department (SCPD) Officer Robert Allsap, a 12-year veteran, responded to a call of domestic disturbance at a home on the 1800 block of Eisenhower Drive in Santa Clara.

Upon arrival, Allsap learned that the attacker had begun stabbing the victim, but the door was locked.

“The officer could hear a loud commotion inside and decisively made a crisis entry into the residence by kicking open the front door,” Police Chief Cory Morgan said during a press conference Sept. 5. 

After kicking open the door, Allsap followed the sounds of struggle to a hallway, where four people, all roommates, were located. The attacker straddled the victim, pinning them to the floor.

“The officer attempted to de-escalate the situation with verbal commands, but the suspect ignored the commands and raised their arm, holding the knife in a striking position above the victim, and the officer saw the suspect’s hand holding the knife come down towards the victim,” Morgan said.

Allsap then shot the attacker four times, hitting the assailant with each shot.

According to police, witnesses said the attacker had retrieved a second knife to continue stabbing the victim after the first one broke at the handle. The victim suffered multiple stab wounds to the hands, chest, lung and abdomen. 

Following the shooting, Allsap stayed with the suspect until emergency medical services arrived. The two other roommates were unharmed and escorted to safety.

An ambulance transported the suspect to a local hospital, where doctors pronounced them dead a short time later. Medical professionals took the victim to another local hospital, where they were treated and later released.

Morgan credited Allsap with saving the victim’s life.

“Let me be clear, any loss of life is tragic,” Morgan said. “I want to commend the officer for their bravery confronting an immediate threat under extremely difficult circumstances. The officer’s split-second decision in a life-threatening situation ensured that nobody else was injured or killed. Our officers trained for moments like this, not because we want to face them, but because we must be prepared to protect lives when every second counts.”

The incident was not the first time police responded to a call at the home. On Aug. 12, the victim and the suspect got into a confrontation about air conditioning that escalated, causing someone to call the police.

Since police are still working to notify the next of kin, they are withholding the name of the suspect. 

Allsap was unharmed. In line with department policy, Allsap is on paid administrative leave while SCPD and the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office complete investigations.

Contact David Alexander at d.todd.alexander@gmail.com

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