Hatchet-Wielding Suspect Shot by Police in San Diego Confrontation

On May 8, 2025, at about 4:18 p.m., San Diego Police Officers responded to a 9-1-1 call from inside the Pacific Beach Taylor Branch Library at 4275 Cass Street. The caller said the man was inside the Library causing a disturbance while armed with a hatchet. Library surveillance camera footage captured 53-year-old William Hanley walking up to the circulation desk and brandishing a hatchet at an employee behind it. Hanley entered the adult computer area and hacked away at power cords at unoccupied desks. He then verbally confronted a library patron before using the hatchet to smash a computer screen. Hanley vandalized another computer in the adult reading area before walking back to the circulation desk. Hanley walked from the library to the 4300 block of Dawes Street, where he was located by arriving San Diego Police officers.

Hanley was walking down the sidewalk when officers arrived. Officers gave Hanley commands to put his hands up and the hatchet down. After officers gave Hanley commands to put his hands up and drop the hatchet, Hanley responded, "No. I'm going to create a scene and the whole world sees it." officers continued to give Hanley commands to drop the weapon. He did not comply. As officer Bloemendaal approached, Hanley raised the hatchet above his head, Officer Bloemendaal discharged his service weapon. Officers immediately provided medical aid and called paramedics to the scene. Hanley was transported to the hospital where he was medically treated. no officers or uninvolved members of the public were injured in this incident.