Officer Killed by Friendly Fire, Roseville Police Say

A Roseville police officer who was killed during a hostage situation touched off by a suicidal young man was shot by friendly fire, police said Saturday.

Officer Mark White, 30, was struck in the chest by one bullet from fellow officers who mistook him for an armed suspect, Police Capt. John Barrow said.

The suspect, 25-year-old Shawn David Brackin of Roseville, lived.

According to police, the incident began about 3:15 p.m. Friday when Brackin entered the front lobby of the suburban Sacramento Police Department and pointed a .22-caliber derringer at the clerk.

The clerk yelled for assistance and Brackin pointed the gun at another person in the lobby.

Six officers, including White, responded and found Brackin pointing his weapon at the other person.

Brackin lowered the gun to his side, turned toward the police officers and started counting as he raised it again in their direction.

One officer fired, striking Brackin in the abdomen.

At the same time, White, who was not in uniform, approached the counter from his office. He had his gun drawn and was in a crouched position, Barrow said.

Two officers entering the lobby apparently mistook him for the gunman and fired one round each, hitting White in the heart.

Brackin, who was in critical condition in a Roseville hospital after surgery Saturday morning, apparently intended to commit suicide by provoking officers to shoot.

White, who joined the department three years ago, leaves a pregnant wife and a 4-year-old son.