Sheriff's Office Completes Toxicology Report On Man Shot By Police

A toxicology exam completed by Solano County Sheriff’s Office determined there was no illegal or prescribed drugs, nor any alcoholic substances present in Bernardo Ararao’s body at the time of his death.  

“The only thing in his blood was atropine which is administered in hospital situations trying to get somebody’s heart started,” said Lt. Gary Faulkner, spokesman.

The 55-year-old Ararao was fatally shot by police near the parking lot of the Suisun City post office after police arrived to the area on a call that a man wearing camouflage and in possession of a firearm was at the Senior Center.

Police found Ararao with a hand gun in the parking lot across the street from the senior center and shot him after Ararao refused repeated calls to drop his gun.

The Faulkner said the atropine was given to Ararao after he was shot by the police, to revive him.

“In essence his blood was clear,” he said.

Here's a summary from Bay City News Service of what happened June 29, when Ararao was shot:

Police were called to the Suisun Senior Center at 318 Merganser
Drive around 11:25 a.m. after someone reported that a man wearing camouflage clothing and carrying a gun told seniors he was "on assignment," Cmdr. Tim
Mattos said.

There were five seniors in the area of the armed man at the time,
and one informed the senior center's manager, who called police, Mattos said.

By the time police arrived less than 90 seconds later, the man had
left on a bicycle, Mattos said.

Two officers located Ararao behind the Sunset Shopping Center and the U.S. Post Office at 325 Merganser Drive, Mattos said.

One of the officers saw that Ararao was armed and told him several times to put the gun down, Mattos said. During the confrontation, the officer shot Ararao once in the chest.

"At some point, he became an immediate threat to the safety of the officers and the citizens around them, and the officer used force to stop it," Mattos said.          

Ararao was taken to the NorthBay Medical Center in Fairfield, where he was pronounced dead at 11:53 a.m., Mattos said.          

Mattos said he does not know if Ararao pointed the gun at the
officers.

"He did something that caused the officers to fear for their lives
and those of the people in the busy area," Mattos said.

Police have had prior contact with Ararao, Mattos said.

The Solano County District Attorney's office is still investigating the matter with the help of the Suisun City Police Department.

8/15 4:27 p.m.: This story has been updated from its original version to give a fuller picture of events.