Fairfield Police Identify Suspect, Officer Involved in Officer-Involved Shooting Monday

The Fairfield Police Department released the identity of the man who was hot by a Fairfield Police officer Monday evening during a violent confrontation at a Fairfield home.

Killed was Fairfield resident Robert McMullan, according to the Fairfield Police Department. The officer involved in the shooting is identified as Adam Ponce, a decorated 10-year veteran of the Fairfield Police Department, who previously worked for six years as a member of the Contra Costa County Sheriff's Department.

On Monday, Ponce went to a home on the 700 block of Gold Coast Drive to follow up on a case involving a report of a man who was accused of following an elementary school girl home from school and taking photographs of her according to the Fairfield Police Department.

The suspect in that case was reported to have been driving a white-and-red car. The girl's parents reported the incident to police, but police were unable to locate the man.

The parents were able to locate a vehicle that matched the description of the one used in the alleged stalking, parked at the Gold Coast Drive home. Police say the parents noted the vehicle's license plate number and provided it to Officer Ponce, who in turn used the information to contact the resident at Gold Coast Drive, identified at McMullen.

"Robert McMullan answered the door and immediately became very aggressive, confrontational, and irrational," a Fairfield Police press release read. "McMullan yelled at Officer Ponce and was very angry regarding the inquiry. McMullan pushed Officer Ponce and then attacked him physically. The struggle became very violent, very quickly. The front door of the house was knocked off the hinges during the struggle. Officer Ponce was place in a situation by McMullan where he had to use deadly force in order to defend himself. Officer Ponce fatally shot McMullan."

Police say that McMullan had a lengthy criminal history in Solano and Napa counties. His prior arrests include domestic violence, assaulting police officers, threatening police officers, resisting arrest and drug offenses.

"The actions of McMullan escalated this incident and had he not attacked Officer Ponce, this shooting would not have occurred," police said in the release.

Throughout Officer Ponce's 16-year career in law enforcement he has worked in various capacities including Gang Unit Detective, Crime Suppression Team officer, Field Training Officer, Corporal, and Hostage Negotiator.

The Fairfield Police Department said Officer Ponce is assigned to the busiest shift and patrols the busiest beat in Fairfield.

"He is a very well respected, experienced, member of our patrol team," the department said.

According to police, in 2011 there were 30 assaults committed against Fairfield Police Officers while performing their duties.  Fairfield officers respond to over 70,000 calls for service per year.

"Most of those incidents do not involve any use of force," police said. "There was no indication this contact with McMullan would turn violent and deadly. All officers are trained and prepared to address any threat or assault while investigating criminal activity."