D.A. Says Police Justified in Fatal Shooting

The Ventura County district attorney’s office has ruled that three Simi Valley police officers were justified in the January fatal shooting of a gun-wielding man, officials said Friday.

Stephen Bayer, 39, was shot five times and killed Jan. 18 by SWAT team members after a four-hour standoff, authorities said.

The Simi Valley SWAT officers were detectives John Parks and Bill Daniels, both 34, and Officer Sterling Johnson, 54.

“Bayer directly threatened the officers with deadly force by pointing a gun at them while standing less than 50 feet away,” said Patricia Murphy, a senior deputy district attorney.

Bayer, who lived in Apple Valley, led officers on a three-county chase, during which he shot at California Highway Patrol officers who were chasing him, police said.

No officers were hit and authorities eventually threw down a spike stripe that flattened the tires on Bayer’s Mercedes.

During the standoff, Bayer remained in his car with a gun pointed at his head. Police ultimately tossed tear gas into the car and Bayer emerged and pointed the gun at officers, authorities said.

“The officers acted properly. . . . Mr. Bayer’s death was a justifiable homicide,” according to a statement released by Dist. Atty. Michael D. Bradbury.

Last month, Bayer’s family filed a wrongful death claim against Simi Valley, contending the city failed to “properly select, train, supervise and discipline employees.”

“If the claim that’s been filed is followed by a lawsuit, we plan to aggressively defend it,” Simi Valley City Atty. David Hirsch said.