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photo credit: Sonoma County Sheriff's OfficeStills provided by the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office as part of its investigation
into an officer involved shooting on March 12, 2026.
The Sonoma Sheriff's Office on Tuesday released its preliminary findings into an investigation into an officer-involved shooting in Santa Rosa that injured a man.
The sheriff's office identified the individual who was shot as 46-year-old Eric Keith Brown of Santa Rosa, and the law enforcer as Officer Taylor McDonagh of the Santa Rosa Police Department, who has six years of experience as a police officer, including three previous years with the San Mateo Police Department.
According to the sheriff's office's investigation, on Thursday at 10:52 a.m., the Santa Rosa Police Department received a call reporting that a person was sleeping on the sidewalk in a sleeping bag at the entrance to St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church at 398 Tenth Street. At 11:16 a.m., Officer McDonagh arrived in the area in a marked patrol car and in uniform.
McDonagh engaged Brown in conversation, but he "was evasive and largely non-responsive to her questions," according to the sheriff's office.
McDonagh requested another officer to her location. Brown then began walking away toward Washington Street as the officer continued speaking with him.
On Washington Street, Brown turned around and aggressively approached McDonagh. She told him not to come near her as she retreated toward her patrol car, unholstered her taser and requested emergency backup, according to the sheriff's office.
Brown was reported to have said, "I'm trying to die," and later, "Tase me". McDonagh yelled "Taser" and deployed her taser twice, but it did not stop him from advancing. Brown then said, "I ain't afraid of dying," as he continued moving toward her.
The officer continued giving commands and backing away, telling Brown not to approach and to get on the ground. Brown responded, "Shoot me, I can die right now," prompting McDonagh to draw her firearm.
Brown continued to follow the McDonagh as she moved past her patrol car and onto the sidewalk, ignoring repeated commands to stop. The sheriff's office said Brown then began running toward the officer, yelling "Shoot me" multiple times.
After continuing to retreat and create distance, McDonagh fired two rounds, striking Brown once in the upper torso, the sheriff's office said.
Officers from Santa Rosa Junior College and the Santa Rosa Police Department arrived shortly after and provided aid. Brown was taken to a hospital, where he remains hospitalized and is expected to survive.
Authorities said no other Santa Rosa police officers were present at the time of the shooting. The Santa Rosa Police Department will conduct a separate administrative review, and McDonagh has been placed on paid administrative leave.
Brown was issued a citation for felony resisting arrest through threats or violence.
