Mateusz Dzierbun and Son Identified in Tragic Cataldi Park Shooting: San Jose Police Say Man Staged Son’s Murder in Calculated ‘Suicide by Cop’ Confrontation
In a heart-wrenching and profoundly disturbing incident that has shaken the San Jose community and law enforcement alike, 48-year-old Mateusz Dzierbun of Fremont, California, was fatally shot by police on Sunday, July 13, 2025, in what authorities are now describing as a calculated act of “suicide by cop.” The tragedy, which occurred in broad daylight at Cataldi Park in San Jose, involved the fatal stabbing of Dzierbun’s own 9-year-old son, and a subsequent confrontation with police that ended in gunfire.
According to San Jose Police Chief Paul Joseph, the chain of events began just before 3:30 p.m. when a 911 call was placed from the scene. The caller, who turned out to be Dzierbun himself, falsely claimed that an unknown individual was stabbing a child in the park. Officers dispatched to the scene found a horrific tableau: a man crouched over a young boy, holding a large kitchen knife, as the child lay bleeding and critically wounded. Despite multiple verbal commands issued by officers, the man refused to comply, eventually rising to his feet, raising the knife, and charging toward them. Two officers discharged their firearms in response. Dzierbun was struck and transported to a local hospital, where he later died. Tragically, the boy—later confirmed to be Dzierbun’s biological son—was pronounced dead at the scene despite officers’ efforts to render aid.
This grim episode is now at the center of an intense and ongoing investigation involving multiple agencies, including the San Jose Police Department’s Homicide and Internal Affairs Units, as well as independent oversight bodies. The case raises deeply unsettling questions about mental health, the complex motivations behind so-called “suicide by cop” scenarios, and the devastating impact of family-based violence. Below, we take an exhaustive look into every facet of this shocking case.
I. The Incident at Cataldi Park: A Timeline of Terror
Cataldi Park, a normally peaceful neighborhood recreation area nestled in northern San Jose, became the scene of unspeakable horror on a warm Sunday afternoon. Just before 3:30 p.m., police dispatch received a frantic call reporting that a child was being stabbed by an unknown assailant. The caller gave the impression of being a panicked witness. However, the investigation would later reveal that the caller was in fact the perpetrator: Mateusz Dzierbun himself.
When San Jose officers arrived, they encountered Dzierbun crouched over a child, brandishing a kitchen knife. Eyewitnesses at the park described the scene as “chaotic” and “haunting.” Several families were nearby and witnessed the horror unfold from playgrounds and walking paths. Police shouted verbal commands at Dzierbun, urging him to drop the knife and step away from the boy. When Dzierbun rose suddenly and began advancing toward the officers with the knife raised, they opened fire. He was struck by their gunfire and subdued.
Despite immediate efforts to save the child’s life—including CPR and the use of a trauma kit—the 9-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene. Dzierbun succumbed to his wounds later that evening at a San Jose-area hospital.
II. Who Was Mateusz Dzierbun? A Deep Dive into His Background
Little was initially known about Mateusz Dzierbun beyond his identity and Fremont residence. However, authorities have since begun piecing together fragments of his past to understand what may have driven a father to commit such a horrific act against his own child.
Public records show that Dzierbun was a U.S. citizen who had lived in several states, including Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Oregon, before settling in Fremont, California. Police say that he had no known criminal history in either Alameda County, where Fremont is located, or in Santa Clara County, where San Jose lies. Investigators are now probing his life in other states to determine whether there were any previous signs of mental health struggles or unreported domestic incidents.
While no prior criminal charges have surfaced, police are not ruling out the possibility of undisclosed psychological or emotional challenges. Interviews are underway with family members, acquaintances, and neighbors to construct a more complete psychological and social profile.
III. Understanding “Suicide by Cop”: A Chilling Psychological Phenomenon
San Jose Police Chief Paul Joseph labeled the incident a textbook example of “suicide by cop,” a term used to describe situations in which individuals deliberately provoke law enforcement into using deadly force. It is a rare and often misunderstood phenomenon that typically occurs when a person feels so desperate or psychologically unwell that they manipulate a confrontation with armed officers in hopes of ending their own life.
The FBI has studied such incidents for decades. According to a 2020 report, suicide by cop accounts for 10–11% of all fatal officer-involved shootings in the United States. These cases tend to follow a distinct pattern: a call to police, threatening behavior involving a weapon, and a refusal to comply with commands—often culminating in a deliberate, aggressive act that forces officers to shoot.
Chief Joseph, who has served more than 30 years in law enforcement, expressed deep frustration and sorrow:
“This was a setup. These officers were lured into a trap by a deranged man who had already committed the unthinkable. He murdered his own son, then forced our officers into making an impossible decision.”
Suicide by cop is particularly complex because it leaves both law enforcement and loved ones grappling with moral and emotional trauma. Officers often struggle with guilt and PTSD, even when their actions are deemed necessary and lawful.
IV. The Victim: A 9-Year-Old Life Cut Tragically Short
The name of the child has not been released due to privacy laws and the sensitive nature of the case, but authorities confirmed that the boy was Dzierbun’s biological son. Neighbors and local community members in Fremont, where the family lived, described the child as bright and curious, often seen playing outside or biking along the sidewalks near their apartment complex.
One neighbor, Ana Martinez, shared,
“He was such a sweet kid. He loved dinosaurs and always had a smile. I can’t believe something like this could happen to him, especially from his own father.”
The loss of a child is always devastating, but when it comes at the hands of a parent, the emotional fallout is profound. Experts describe filicide—the killing of one’s own child—as one of the rarest but most deeply disturbing forms of homicide. It raises uncomfortable questions about trust, psychological pathology, and the systems that failed to prevent such a tragedy.
V. Impact on Law Enforcement and the San Jose Community
The officers involved in the shooting—one with four and a half years of experience, and the other with over 19 years—are now on paid administrative leave, per department protocol. They are also receiving counseling services and peer support to address the psychological trauma of the event.
Chief Joseph emphasized the emotional toll on the officers and broader department:
“Imagine being called to save a child, only to discover the attacker is his father—and then being forced to shoot him. That’s a burden no one should have to carry.”
This incident has also left deep scars on the local community. A candlelight vigil was held Monday evening at Cataldi Park, drawing dozens of residents, activists, and city officials. Many wept openly, placing flowers and teddy bears at a growing memorial. San Jose Mayor Helena Armenta, who attended the vigil, said:
“This was not just a crime—it was a soul-crushing act of violence. We must come together not just to mourn, but to understand how we can prevent tragedies like this from ever happening again.”
VI. Ongoing Investigations, Public Reactions, and Policy Implications
Authorities have pledged a full and transparent investigation into the events at Cataldi Park. Body camera footage from the officers involved has been secured and is expected to be reviewed by both internal affairs and the city’s Independent Police Auditor. Initial findings suggest the officers acted within policy given the imminent threat posed by Dzierbun, but a final ruling will await completion of the inquiry.
Meanwhile, public opinion is torn between mourning the tragedy and debating broader systemic issues. Social media platforms have lit up with expressions of grief, anger, and confusion. Hashtags like #CataldiParkTragedy and #JusticeForTheChild have trended locally.
Some activists have raised questions about mental health awareness and accessibility, particularly for fathers and middle-aged men—demographics often overlooked in mental health policy.
Others are calling for more proactive community intervention strategies, including:
- Family wellness checks, especially for children in shared custody or domestic conflict situations.
- Enhanced mental health screenings tied to school and healthcare systems.
- Training programs for law enforcement, emphasizing psychological de-escalation and detection of potential suicide-by-cop setups.
Experts in child psychology, including Dr. Rina Patel of Stanford University’s Center for Family Mental Health, emphasized the importance of early detection.
“This incident reminds us that hidden emotional crises can sometimes erupt in violent and unfathomable ways. We must be better equipped to notice and respond to early signs—at home, in schools, and in clinics.”
VII. A Tragedy with No Easy Answers
As the investigation into Mateusz Dzierbun’s actions continues, one fact remains incontrovertibly clear: a young life has been lost in a manner so cruel and senseless that even seasoned investigators struggle to find words.
The story of Dzierbun and his son forces a difficult confrontation with the darkest corners of human psychology, systemic gaps in mental health care, and the immense burdens placed on law enforcement. Yet it also underscores the resilience of a community determined to honor the memory of a young boy and ensure that no other child suffers the same fate.
San Jose Police continue to urge anyone with information about Dzierbun’s past or this incident to come forward, emphasizing that even the smallest detail could help piece together the full story.
In the words of Chief Paul Joseph:
“We may never fully understand what led to this tragedy. But we can commit ourselves to making sure it never happens again.”
If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988. Help is available 24/7.
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