Two contract workers scrambled to avoid a 48-year-old man armed with a knife before he was fatally shot by Fremont police last week, police said Monday.
The Alameda County coroner's bureau identified the man as Hayward-resident Zaki Shinwary.
Around 2 p.m., Shinwary approached a 54-year-old man standing by a car on Great Salt Lake Court, near Sylvester Harvey Park, then screamed and made stabbing motions, police said.
The man yelled for help, backed away and tried to hide behind a tree but Shinwary continued to follow him, according to police.
At one point Shinwary was "extremely close to stabbing the victim," police said.
The man's screams were heard by his co-worker, a 21-year-old man, who exited a nearby home and saw Shinwary with the knife, according to police.
When Shinwary caught sight of the co-worker, he yelled and walked toward him, police said.
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Shinwary started running towards the 21-year-old man, who ran away and took cover behind a car, police said.
While hiding, the 21-year-old caught the attention of a resident across the street and told her to call police.
Meanwhile Shinwary walked to Great Salt Lake Drive and told the 21-year-old man he was coming back, police said.
Police dispatch were notified of the incident shortly after 2 p.m. when they received a report of a male walking down the street pointing a knife at people.
The first arriving officer spotted Shinwary walking across Lake Arrowhead Avenue into the park, prompting him to turn on his patrol car's emergency lights and siren, police said. Two sergeants arrived to the scene a short time later.
Shinwary turned around and started walking towards the officer's patrol car that was stopped next to a sidewalk on the south side of the park, police said.
Shinwary was seen yanking at his clothing and he appeared to look for an item from his jacket pocket while his hands were concealed from the officer.
The officer stepped out of the patrol car, drew his firearm and ordered Shinwary to stop moving and put up his hands, police said.
The sergeants, one armed with a Taser stun gun, ran to assist the officer, according to police.
Shinwary did not follow the orders, pulled a knife from his clothing and made his way to the officer, who in return fired his weapon, police said.
At the same time, the sergeant armed with the Taser discharged his weapon at Shinwary, police said.
Emergency crews were called and Shinwary was pronounced dead at the scene, according to police.
The officer and two sergeants are on paid administrative leave, which is standard protocol following officer-involved shootings.
Police are investigating the incident with the Alameda County District Attorney's Office.
Anyone with information on the case is asked to call the Police Department's crimes against persons unit at 510-790-6900.
