The San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office released bodycam footage of a June 23 Stockton traffic stop in which a deputy fired one shot after the driver appeared to reach toward an object in her lap that looked like a handgun. The item was later identified as an air-powered replica pistol. Erika Lee Johnson, 46, was treated for non-life-threatening injuries and was booked on one felony evading charge and misdemeanors for brandishing a replica and reckless driving. The video has sparked public debate about split-second policing decisions.
Bodycam Released After Stockton Traffic Stop: Deputy Fires One Shot as Driver Reaches Toward Replica Pistol
Photo San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office
The San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office this week released body-worn camera footage of a June 23 traffic stop in Stockton that ended when a deputy shot a woman who appeared to reach for an object that looked like a handgun resting in her lap.
What Happened
Deputies responded at about 11:30 a.m. to reports of a disturbance involving two women near Moon Avenue. The released footage shows a sedan leaving the area, running stop signs, and eventually stopping at the intersection of Wisconsin Avenue and Michigan Avenue.
The driver, identified in records as 46-year-old Erika Lee Johnson, remained seated as a deputy approached and quickly noticed what appeared to be a pistol in her lap. The deputy issued a clear warning from the driver’s window:
"Don't reach for that. Do you understand me?"
When Johnson appeared to move toward the object, the deputy began a second warning but interrupted it and fired a single shot. He then retreated, called for backup, and directed responding officers to the scene. Johnson received emergency medical aid and was transported to a hospital with injuries described by officials as non-life-threatening.
Evidence and Booking
Authorities later determined the item was an air-powered replica pistol rather than a functioning firearm. A photo released with the footage shows a realistic-looking black handgun on the bloodstained driver's seat.
Booking records show Johnson was booked into the San Joaquin County Jail at 12:47 p.m. on June 24 under booking number 26-09567, with the Sheriff's Office listed as the arresting agency. She faces one felony count of evading a peace officer with wanton disregard for safety and misdemeanor charges of brandishing a firearm replica and reckless driving. Jail records indicate she is being held without bail on the open charges, and no court date was listed in the public record.
Public Reaction and Context
Comments beneath the sheriff's posted video were largely supportive of the deputy, with many viewers saying the replica appeared indistinguishable from a real handgun during the brief confrontation. Several commenters noted the deputy fired only one shot and described that as restraint given how rapidly the encounter unfolded. A smaller number of viewers questioned whether the shooting was warranted and called for accountability.
The footage underscores how quickly officer-involved shooting decisions can occur: only a few seconds elapsed from when the deputy noticed the object to when the shot was fired.
Presumption of innocence: Erika Lee Johnson is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Help us improve.
