BART officer shoots and injures woman during traffic stop in Union City

In the United States, specifically in Union City, California, a significant incident involving police occurred on November 18, 2023, when BART police officers initiated a traffic stop on a woman named Jasmine Gao. The stop happened at approximately 9:30 p.m. in the parking lot, following reports of a vehicle engaging in dangerous maneuvers. Officer Nicholas Poblete approached Gao's car, informing her that it matched the description of a vehicle reportedly doing doughnuts. Confused by the accusation, Gao humorously remarked about not being able to perform such actions well. Soon after, the officers engaged in a discussion regarding her vehicle's registration, which they believed was expired. As tension escalated, Gao became visibly agitated and expressed her distress, stating that the presence of police was frightening. When Poblete instructed her to exit the vehicle, she resisted and pulled her license from his grasp. In a moment of panic, she attempted to drive away with at least one officer's arm still inside the car. This prompted Officer Poblete to draw his weapon and fire three shots at the vehicle, striking Gao in the upper torso, leading her to sustain a serious injury. After the shooting, the officers removed her from the vehicle and handcuffed her while she bled profusely from her wounds. Emergency medical responders arrived at the scene shortly after the shooting and transported Gao to a hospital, where she underwent treatment and was subsequently released. Fortunately, neither officer suffered any injuries during the incident. The case surrounding the officer-involved shooting has been referred to the Alameda County District Attorney's Office for further investigation. Additionally, Officer Poblete has been placed on administrative leave, pending the outcome of the inquiry. BART Police Chief Kevin Franklin announced that a third-party investigator has been appointed to ensure a thorough internal review of the shooting. No updated information is available regarding any potential charges against Gao, as spokespersons from both the BART police and the District Attorney's Office have not provided comments on whether she will face prosecution. At present, she is not in custody according to jail records, indicating that while the details of the case continue to unfold, the situation remains sensitive and subject to further legal scrutiny.