San Ramon Gunman a Former Cal High Student

Police identified the man they shot and killed at 7-Eleven Thursday morning after an hour-long standoff as Joseph John Baumgardner, a 24-year-old who attended California High School but never graduated.

Four San Ramon officers were placed on administrative leave after shooting and killing Baumgardner, who they said downed some beer and pointed a 9mm gun at them.

"Officers had no alternative but to shoot the subject in defense of their lives," said San Ramon Police Chief Scott Holder at a Thursday afternoon press conference.

Officers notified the man's family members this afternoon. They said they don't yet know whether he has a criminal history and there's no indication that he had any mental illness. Police also say they don't know whether Baumgardner was suicidal, but that it's possible.

The Baumgardner family declined to talk about the shooting.

Police said Baumgardner stole a tan Volvo from a guest at the Fairmont Hotel in San Jose Wednesday night before driving to Dublin Knives and Guns on Dublin Boulevard, where he backed the car through the front doors and stole a gun and some ammunition.

He then went to the 7-Eleven on San Ramon Valley Boulevard a few minutes after 2 a.m. to buy beer. When the clerk refused, Baumgardner threatened him but let him out of the store.

The clerk was able to call police after darting across the street to a nearby grocery store. By then, a officer had already noticed Baumgardner in the minimart, Holder said.

In addition to the San Ramon police, Lafayette and Danville officers and Contra Costa County Sheriff's deputies responded and surrounded the store. For an hour, until about 3:15 a.m., police tried to negotiate with Baumgardner, who demanded marijuana, Holder said.

He then walked out, guzzled the rest of his beer, threw the can on the ground and pointed the gun at the officers who shot him. 

"He had a gun in one hand and a beer in the other hand," said Holder.

Holder said police had no choice but to shoot once Baumgardner aimed at them.

"No officer ever wants to be in this situation," he said.