Moment California cop shoots woman at traffic stop after spotting weapon on her lap

By New York Post (U.S.) | Created at 2026-08-05 16:25:57 | Updated at 2026-08-06 06:40:38 14 hours ago

This is the moment a California cop shoots a woman after seeing what he thought was a pistol on her lap.

Bodycam released Monday shows a San Joaquin County Sheriff’s deputy approaching Erica Lee Johnson, 46, during a traffic stop around noon on June 23 after a report of an argument between two women just outside Stockton.

The San Joaquin County sheriff addressed the community about an officer-involved shooting following a traffic stop. San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office

Erica Lee Johnson was approached during a traffic stop after a report of two women arguing near Stockton. San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office

She’s seen saying something to the officer as he stands at her car before the audio turns on, and she’s seen reaching down.

The officer then draws his weapon and warns her, “Don’t reach for that.” The woman appears to say something and reaches down again, prompting the officer to shoot her.

The officer believed Johnson had a pistol she was reaching for, which turned out to be an air-powered replica handgun. San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office

San Joaquin County Sheriff Patrick Withrow explained the officer believed the woman had a black pistol she was reaching for, which turned out to be an air-powered replica handgun.

“Let me ask you a question: The firearm that I pulled from my holster, could you tell if it was real or not?” Withrow asked. “Because that’s how quick your decision on the street has to be. They look so real nowadays it’s hard to tell.

“Most of you probably had no idea,” he added. The woman sustained non-life-threatening injuries from the shooting and was transported to the hospital.

The officer then draws his weapon and warns Johnson, “Don’t reach for that.” San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office

“He saw what appeared to be a real firearm, gave clear commands not to reach for it, and watched as those commands were ignored,” the sheriff said. “And the individual reached towards what looked like a handgun. That is the reality of law enforcement.

“When someone we saw reaches for what appears to be a firearm after being told not to, they leave the deputy with only moments to decide whether they go home to their family that night or not.”

It’s unclear if Johnson has been charged with anything, but she is seen driving through several stop signs, speeding, and illegally crossing the center line in the footage.

Stockton is a city in California’s San Joaquin Valley about 80 miles east of San Francisco.