Death by Cop 2026
Search fatalities
You can use any or all of the fields to refine the search.

Rachel E. Tarrence
Age :40
Gender :Female
Race : Unknown
Date : 01/04/2026
Location : 4500 block of South State Street
City : East St. Louis
County : St. Clair
State : Illinois
Agency : Illinois State Police
Officer(s) : Not Disclosed
Cause of Death : Gunshot
Event : Killed by police during car chase
OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :
On 01/04/2026, Illinois State Police troopers attempted to stop a reported stolen vehicle in East St. Louis, Illinois. During the attempted stop on South State Street, the driver, identified as 40-year-old Rachel E. Tarrence, backed the vehicle into a police squad car and then drove toward a trooper. A trooper discharged his firearm, striking Tarrence. She was transported to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead. No troopers were injured in the incident. The Illinois State Police Division of Internal Investigation is conducting the official investigation.
SOURCE LINKS :
https://mynews13.com/fl/orlando/news/2026/01/05/illinois-state-police-officer-involved-shooting
https://blackchronicle.com/news/illinois-quick-hits-fatal-police-involved-shooting-investigated/

Name Withheld
Age :
Gender :Male
Race : Unknown
Date : 01/03/2026
Location : Wallisville Road and Uvalde Road
City : Houston
County : Harris
State : Texas
Agency : Harris County Sheriff’s Office
Officer(s) : Not Disclosed
Cause of Death : Vehicle
Event : Motorcycle driver killed by police chase crash
OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :
On 01/03/2026, a teenage boy riding a minibike was killed in a crash in east Harris County after a Harris County Sheriff’s Office deputy attempted to stop him for a traffic violation. Police said the teen did not stop and deputies chased him through nearby streets. During the chase, the teen entered the intersection of Wallisville Road and Uvalde Road and collided with another vehicle. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The crash occurred shortly after the attempted stop. The Harris County Sheriff’s Office Vehicular Crimes Division is investigating the pursuit and crash, with review by internal investigators and the district attorney’s office.
SOURCE LINKS :
https://abc13.com/post/teen-killed-accident-following-motorbike-pursuit-east-harris-county-was-being-pulled-traffic-violations-hcso-says/18350963/
https://www.click2houston.com/news/local/2026/01/04/teen-killed-in-minibike-crash-after-pursuit-with-harris-county-sheriffs-office/

Jesus Gonzalez
Age :17
Gender :Male
Race : Latino/a/e
Date : 01/03/2026
Location : East 4th Street and Exchange Avenue
City : Fort Worth
County : Tarrant
State : Texas
Agency : Fort Worth Police Department
Officer(s) : Not Disclosed
Cause of Death : Vehicle
Event : Passenger killed by police chase crash
OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :
On 01/03/2026, a passenger was killed in a crash in Fort Worth after police chased a vehicle through city streets. Police said officers attempted to stop a vehicle traveling the wrong way on Exchange Avenue. The driver did not stop, and police escalated a chase. After a second attempted stop, the driver continued driving before losing control of the vehicle near East 4th Street, where it struck a utility pole. The passenger was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver was critically injured and transported to a hospital. The Fort Worth Police Department is investigating the crash.
SOURCE LINKS :
https://www.fox4news.com/news/driver-critical-passenger-dead-after-fleeing-fort-worth-police
https://www.dallasnews.com/news/crime/2026/01/03/1-dead-1-injured-after-police-chase-leads-to-traffic-accident-in-fort-worth-on-saturday/
https://dfwscanner.net/2026/01/03/driver-critically-hurt-passenger-killed-in-crash-while-evading-police-fort-worth-police-say/

Name Withheld
Age :
Gender :Unknown
Race : Unknown
Date : 01/03/2026
Location : Southwest Barnes Road and Southwest Valeria View Drive
City : Beaverton
County : Washington
State : Oregon
Agency : Portland Police Bureau
Officer(s) : Not Disclosed
Cause of Death : Vehicle
Event : Driver killed by police chase crash
OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :
On 01/03/2026, a driver was killed in a crash in Beaverton after Portland police attempted to stop the vehicle for reckless driving. Police said the driver did not stop, and officers escalated a chase that continued from Portland into Beaverton. After officers reduced direct engagement, the vehicle continued driving and later crashed at Southwest Barnes Road and Southwest Valeria View Drive. The driver, the sole occupant of the vehicle, was pronounced dead at the scene. No other vehicles were involved. The Washington County Sheriff’s Office Crash Analysis Reconstruction Team is investigating the crash.
SOURCE LINKS :
https://www.koin.com/news/crime/driver-killed-in-beaverton-crash-after-portland-police-pursuit/
https://www.katu.com/news/local/driver-speeds-off-from-portland-police-traffic-stop-dies-minutes-later-in-beaverton-crash-oregon-collision-barnes-road-burnside-driver-reckless-driving
https://www.portland.gov/police/news/2026/1/3/vehicle-eluded-police-found-crashed-and-driver-deceased-beaverton

Name Withheld
Age :21
Gender :Male
Race : Unknown
Date : 01/03/2026
Location : Interstate 44
City : Unknown
County : Phelps
State : Missouri
Agency : Missouri State Highway Patrol
Officer(s) : Not Disclosed
Cause of Death : Vehicle
Event : Driver killed by police chase crash
OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :
On 01/03/2026, a 21-year-old man from Texas was killed in a crash in Phelps County during a police chase. Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers attempted to stop the driver, who did not stop and continued driving on Interstate 44. During the chase, the vehicle left the roadway and crashed after striking roadside barriers and a bridge structure. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene. Multiple agencies responded, and the Missouri State Highway Patrol is investigating the pursuit and crash.
SOURCE LINKS :
https://abc17news.com/news/crime/2026/01/04/texas-man-dies-in-phelps-county-crash-during-police-chase/
https://krcgtv.com/news/local/texas-man-dies-in-crash-after-fleeing-law-enforcement-in-phelps-county
https://www.firstalert4.com/2026/01/03/texas-man-dies-crash-while-fleeing-police-phelps-county/

Name Withheld
Age :
Gender :Unknown
Race : Unknown
Date : 01/03/2026
Location : Roadway location not disclosed
City : Unknown
County : Unknown
State : Maryland
Agency : Maryland State Police
Officer(s) : Not Disclosed
Cause of Death : Vehicle
Event : Driver killed by police chase crash
OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :
On 01/03/2026, a juvenile was killed in a high-speed crash in Maryland after a police pursuit. According to authorities, state troopers attempted to stop a vehicle, and the driver did not stop. Police escalated a chase that ended when the vehicle crashed. The juvenile driver was pronounced dead at the scene. The Maryland Office of the Attorney General is reviewing the incident, and the Maryland State Police are investigating the pursuit and crash.
SOURCE LINKS :
https://www.wmar2news.com/news/local-news/juvenile-killed-after-police-pursuit-maryland
https://www.baltimoresun.com/2026/01/xx/juvenile-killed-police-pursuit-maryland/

Name Withheld
Age :49
Gender :Male
Race : Unknown
Date : 01/03/2026
Location : Holiday Inn Express hotel room
City : Harrison
County : Boone
State : Arkansas
Agency : Harrison Police Department
Officer(s) : Not Disclosed
Cause of Death : Suicide
Event : Suicide under police duress
OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :
On 01/03/2026, Harrison police officers and negotiators responded to a standoff at a Holiday Inn Express hotel in Harrison, Arkansas, after multiple hang-up calls from a hotel room. Negotiators attempted contact with the individual, who was armed and barricaded inside, but received no response. Shortly after 1:00 a.m., law enforcement heard a gunshot from within the room and made entry. Inside, they found a 49-year-old man dead from an apparent self inflicted gunshot wound. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances of the standoff and death
SOURCE LINKS :
https://www.ozarksfirst.com/local-news/man-found-dead-in-arkansas-hotel-room-after-standoff/
https://www.legends1063.fm/news/local-news/man-barricades-himself-in-room-dies-from-apparent-self-inflicted-gunshot-wound/
https://shows.acast.com/little-rock-daily-news-now/episodes/6958d61e6c77c8cb7aaad95f

Charles Edwin Stewart II
Age :57
Gender :Male
Race : White
Date : 01/02/2026
Location : Granite Street & Laurel Street
City : Cadillac
County : Wexford
State : Michigan
Agency : Cadillac Police Department
Officer(s) : Not Disclosed
Cause of Death : Gunshot
Event : Killed by police during traffic stop
OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :
On 01/02/2026, a Cadillac police officer stopped a vehicle at the intersection of Granite Street and Laurel Street in Cadillac. During the stop, the officer encountered 57 year old Charles Edwin Stewart II. Police reported that Stewart was holding a firearm during the encounter. The officer opened fire and shot Stewart. He was transported to a hospital, where he later died. A woman who was in the vehicle was not physically injured.
SOURCE LINKS :
https://www.9and10news.com/2026/01/03/deadly-officer-involved-shooting-in-cadillac-linked-to-wexford-county-home-invasion/
https://www.facebook.com/UpNorthLive/posts/cadillac-police-say-a-57-year-old-man-was-shot-and-killed-by-an-officer-during-a/1331896508971757
https://x.com/mspnorthernmi/status/2007579346312323445

Marcus Burks
Age :39
Gender :Male
Race : Unknown
Date : 01/02/2026
Location : Roadway location not disclosed
City : Newburgh
County : Orange
State : New York
Agency : Newburgh Police Department; New York State Police
Officer(s) : Not Disclosed
Cause of Death : Asphyxiation
Event : Killed by police during arrest
OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :
On 01/02/2026, Marcus Burks, 39, died in Newburgh after being taken into police custody following a car crash and police chase. State Police said officers attempted to stop Burks, who did not stop and later crashed his vehicle. After the crash, Burks was handcuffed and taken into custody. While detained, he became unresponsive. Emergency medical assistance was requested, and he was transported to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Authorities have not clarified how Burks lost consciousness while restrained. The New York State Attorney General’s Office is investigating the death.
SOURCE LINKS :
https://www.timesunion.com/hudsonvalley/news/article/newburgh-police-chase-man-dies-21273209.php?

Name Withheld
Age :38
Gender :Male
Race : Unknown
Date : 01/02/2026
Location : Fleming Street
City : Everett
County : Snohomish
State : Washington
Agency : Multiple agencies
Officer(s) : Not Disclosed
Cause of Death : Gunshot
Event : Killed by police after pursuit
OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :
On 01/02/2026, a 38-year-old man from Oak Harbor was shot and killed by law enforcement in Everett following a multi-county pursuit. The incident began the previous evening in Clinton, Washington, where deputies responded to a domestic disturbance. After leaving the scene, the man was later involved in a reported kidnapping in Oak Harbor, during which another man was forced to drive him to Burlington and was later released unharmed. Police encounters continued overnight across multiple jurisdictions as officers attempted to locate him. In the early morning hours, law enforcement located the man in Everett, where the pursuit ended on Fleming Street. Under circumstances still under investigation, officers opened fire and killed him at the scene. The investigation into the shooting is being handled by a regional critical incident response team.
SOURCE LINKS :
https://komonews.com/news/local/oak-harbor-man-shot-killed-police-kidnapping-multi-county-pursuit
https://www.fox13seattle.com/news/police-shooting-everett-wa
https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/everett/officer-involved-shooting-everett/281-2c951221-0eb6-4729-95c8-8270c6b44fb9

Nicholas Joseph Barajas
Age :33
Gender :Male
Race : Latino/a/e
Date : 01/02/2026
Location :
City : Chandler
County : Maricopa
State : Arizona
Agency : Chandler Police Department
Officer(s) : Not Disclosed
Cause of Death : Gunshot
Event : Killed by police during domestic incident
OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :
On 01/02/2026, Chandler police shot and killed Nicholas Joseph Barajas, 33, after responding to reports that he had threatened to harm his young daughter. According to investigators, officers were called to a residence in Chandler for a domestic incident involving concerns for the child’s safety. During the response, an encounter occurred between Barajas and officers that escalated, and police opened fire. Barajas was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities stated the child was not physically harmed. The shooting is under investigation, and additional details about the moments leading up to the use of lethal force have not been publicly released.
SOURCE LINKS :
https://www.azfamily.com/2026/01/03/police-id-man-shot-killed-chandler-officers-after-allegedly-threatening-daughter/
https://www.fox10phoenix.com/news/chandler-police-shoot-kill-man-threatened-harm-child

Name Withheld
Age :
Gender :Male
Race : Unknown
Date : 01/02/2026
Location : Apartment complex, 200 block of South Tehama Street
City : Willows
County : Glenn
State : California
Agency : Glenn County Sheriff’s Office, Butte County Sheriff’s Office
Officer(s) : Not Disclosed
Cause of Death : Suicide
Event : Suicide under police duress
OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :
On 01/02/2026, Glenn County sheriff’s deputies responded to a reported burglary at an apartment complex on the 200 block of South Tehama Street in Willows. Deputies entered the apartment and, during the initial clearing, a person barricaded inside a bathroom fired a gun. Deputies were unable to establish communication and requested assistance from the Butte County Sheriff’s Office regional SWAT team. Law enforcement ordered residents in the surrounding area to shelter in place and established roadblocks during the standoff. After several hours with no successful communication, SWAT officers entered the apartment. The person was found dead inside the bathroom. Authorities have not released the individual’s name. The Glenn County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the incident.
SOURCE LINKS :
https://lakeconews.com/news/regional/83447-willows-burglary-suspect-found-dead-following-standoff

Name Withheld
Age :
Gender :Unknown
Race : Unknown
Date : 01/01/2026
Location : Papermill Drive
City : Knoxville
County : Knox
State : Tennessee
Agency : Tennessee Highway Patrol
Officer(s) : Not Disclosed
Cause of Death : Vehicle
Event : Passenger killed by police chase crash
OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :
On 01/01/2026, a passenger was killed in the same crash on Papermill Drive in Knoxville following a Tennessee Highway Patrol pursuit. Police said the passenger was riding in the vehicle that troopers chased after an attempted stop. The pursuit ended in a serious crash, and the passenger was pronounced dead at the scene. The incident is under investigation by the Tennessee Highway Patrol with assistance from local authorities.
SOURCE LINKS :
https://www.wvlt.tv/2026/01/01/two-dead-after-tennessee-highway-patrol-chase-ends-knoxville-crash/

Name Withheld
Age :
Gender :Male
Race : Unknown
Date : 01/01/2026
Location : Interstate 70
City : Blue Springs
County : Jackson
State : Missouri
Agency : Blue Springs Police Department
Officer(s) : Not Disclosed
Cause of Death : Unknown
Event : Teen killed after traffic stop
OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :
On 01/01/2026, a teenager was struck and killed on Interstate 70 in Blue Springs after police attempted a traffic stop. According to initial reporting, officers stopped a vehicle on the interstate, and the teen exited the vehicle and ran into traffic. The teen was hit by a passing vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene. Police have not released the teen’s name or age, and have provided limited details about the reason for the traffic stop or the sequence of events leading up to the collision. The incident remains under investigation, and authorities have not disclosed whether body camera footage exists or whether additional details will be released.
SOURCE LINKS :
https://fox4kc.com/news/teen-killed-while-running-from-traffic-stop-on-i-70-in-blue-springs/

Name Withheld
Age :
Gender :Male
Race : Unknown
Date : 01/01/2026
Location : 13,000 block of South Eagle Valley Road
City : Snyder Township
County : Blair
State : Pennsylvania
Agency : Pennsylvania State Police
Officer(s) : Not Disclosed
Cause of Death : Suicide
Event : Suicide under police duress
OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :
On 01/01/2026, Pennsylvania State Police responded after 1 p.m. to reports of a suicidal man at the 13,000 block of South Eagle Valley Road in Snyder Township. Troopers located the man, who barricaded himself inside an outbuilding near a church, prompting an hours-long standoff involving state police specialized response units. After negotiations failed and the standoff continued for several hours, troopers entered the structure and found the man dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Police have not released the man’s identity or additional details about the events leading up to the standoff. The incident remains under investigation.
SOURCE LINKS :

William Rexford
Age :24
Gender :Male
Race : Native Alaskan
Date : 01/01/2026
Location : Gradelle Avenue
City : Fairbanks
County : Fairbanks North Star Borough
State : Alaska
Agency : Alaska State Troopers, Fairbanks Police Department
Officer(s) : Not Disclosed
Cause of Death : Gunshot
Event : Killed by police during response to domestic disturbance
OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :
On 01/01/2026, Alaska State Troopers responded to a Gradelle Avenue residence in Fairbanks after reports that 24 year old William Rexford was destroying property inside a family home and threatening to harm himself. Troopers engaged Rexford and discussed the situation with him. Without warning, Rexford went into the kitchen, grabbed a knife and charged directly at a trooper. Multiple troopers then fired their service weapons, striking Rexford. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Another man inside the home was also struck by gunfire and taken to a hospital with serious injuries. The Alaska Bureau of Investigation is conducting a review of the shooting, and the Alaska Office of Special Prosecutions will independently evaluate the findings when the investigation is complete. All troopers involved have been placed on administrative leave as part of department policy.
SOURCE LINKS :
https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/crime-courts/2026/01/02/troopers-shoot-and-kill-man-injure-another-in-fairbanks-shooting/
https://www.webcenterfairbanks.com/2026/01/02/officer-involved-shooting-leaves-one-dead-one-injured-new-years-day/

Name Withheld
Age :
Gender :Unknown
Race : Unknown
Date : 01/01/2026
Location :
City : Kansas City
County : Jackson
State : Missouri
Agency : Independence Police Department
Officer(s) : Not Disclosed
Cause of Death : Vehicle
Event : Bystander killed by police chase crash
OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :
On 12/31/2025, a police pursuit initiated by Independence police ended in a deadly crash in Kansas City that killed an uninvolved person and critically injured others. According to reporting, Independence officers attempted to stop a vehicle that was later confirmed to be stolen. The driver continued driving, and police chased the vehicle from Independence into Kansas City. During the pursuit, the fleeing vehicle crashed into another car, killing a bystander and causing serious injuries to additional occupants. Authorities have not publicly explained the specific reason for the initial stop, the speeds involved, or why the pursuit was continued into Kansas City. The crash and the actions of Independence police are under investigation. The incident has drawn scrutiny because it follows a pattern of recent police chases in the area that have resulted in bystander deaths.
SOURCE LINKS :
https://www.kmbc.com/article/independence-police-chase-ends-deadly-kansas-city-crash/
https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article314124768.html
https://www.kctv5.com/2026/01/01/police-chase-through-jackson-county-leaves-4-victims-injured-suspect-still-large/

Name Withheld
Age :
Gender :Unknown
Race : Unknown
Date : 01/01/2026
Location : Hotel in Grand Chute
City : Grand Chute
County : Outagamie
State : Wisconsin
Agency : Grand Chute Police Department
Officer(s) : Not Disclosed
Cause of Death : Gunshot
Event : Suicide under police duress
OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :
On 01/01/2026, one person was found dead following a police standoff at a hotel in Grand Chute, Wisconsin. According to authorities, police responded to the hotel after reports of a disturbance involving an armed individual. Officers established a perimeter and attempted to negotiate with the person, resulting in a standoff that lasted for several hours. After the standoff concluded, the individual was found dead inside the hotel. Police stated the death appeared to be self-inflicted. No officers or bystanders were reported injured. Authorities have not released the person’s identity, age, or additional details about the events leading up to the standoff. The incident remains under investigation.
SOURCE LINKS :
https://www.wsaw.com/2026/01/01/one-dead-after-standoff-at-hotel-grand-chute/

Jesus Romo
Age :27
Gender :Male
Race : Latino/a/e
Date : 01/01/2026
Location : City street intersection
City : Clovis
County : Curry
State : New Mexico
Agency : Clovis Police Department
Officer(s) : Not Disclosed
Cause of Death : Vehicle
Event : Passenger killed by police chase crash
OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :
On 01/01/2026, Jesus Romo, 27, was killed in a vehicle crash that occurred after a police pursuit involving Clovis police. Police reported that officers attempted to stop a vehicle driven by his brother, Julian Romo, and a high-speed chase followed through the city. The pursuit ended when the vehicle crashed, killing Jesus Romo, who was a passenger. Julian Romo survived the crash and was later charged with multiple felony offenses, including homicide by vehicle, related to his brother’s death. Reporting indicates that Jesus Romo was not the driver and did not control the vehicle during the pursuit. At the time of this update, police have not released the names of the officers involved. No information has been released indicating that body-worn camera footage has been made public. A review of social media shows discussion focused on the fact that the person who died was a passenger and a family member of the driver, with questions raised about the necessity and conduct of the pursuit.
SOURCE LINKS :
https://abc7amarillo.com/news/local/man-julian-romo-charged-with-homicide-after-high-speed-chase-on-new-years-day-ends-in-fatal-crash-jesus-romo-clovis-police-vehicular-homicide
https://kvia.com/news/2026/01/02/man-charged-after-high-speed-chase-ends-in-brothers-death/

Name Withheld
Age :
Gender :Unknown
Race : Unknown
Date : 08/16/2025
Location : East Wilson Street
City : Batavia
County : Kane
State : Illinois
Agency : Batavia Police Department
Officer(s) : Not Disclosed
Cause of Death : Suicide
Event : Suicide under police duress
OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :
On 08/16/2025, police responded to an incident on East Wilson Street in Batavia, Illinois, involving an armed individual. During the response, shots were fired by police officers. The individual died from a self inflicted gunshot wound at the scene. Authorities stated the death was ruled a suicide following police gunfire. The circumstances leading up to the incident and the exchange of gunfire remain under investigation.
SOURCE LINKS :
https://abc7chicago.com/batavia-police-shooting-east-wilson-street-self-inflicted-gunshot/
https://www.dailyherald.com/2025/08/17/batavia-police-investigate-fatal-incident/
https://wgntv.com/news/chicago-news/batavia-police-shooting-investigation/
