Search fatalities

On December 6, 2021, Jose Mario Velez, 47, of Lompoc died after a pursuit initiated by Vandenberg Space Force Base Security Forces. Officers attempted a traffic stop due to erratic driving, but Velez did not stop. He was traveling northbound on Highway 1 when he lost control near the "Y" interchange with Highway 135, struck a milepost, became airborne, and went off an embankment. His vehicle landed on its roof and slid into a guardrail. He was declared dead at the scene.

https://www.ksby.com/news/local-news/lompoc-man-killed-after-crashing-during-pursuit-identified
https://lompocrecord.com/news/local/lompoc-man-identified-in-fatal-crash-following-police-pursuit/article_6f1c6874-569a-11ec-b169-d77cb00c808c.html
https://news.yahoo.com/lompoc-man-identified-fatal-crash-024700044.html

On November 23, 2021, at approximately 2:35 p.m., Pasadena Police Department officers were called to a report of a shooting at a residence where 70-year-old GevorkMinissian had been shot. Devin Edward Hall fled the scene on foot and allegedly attempted to carjack a woman by jumping into her vehicle. Hall was unable to steal the car and fled on foot. Police engaged him in a shootout.
.
Hall ran onto Sunnyslope Avenue, where he allegedly attempted to carjack a second woman but again failed to take the vehicle. He reportedly held the woman at gunpoint until he was cornered by officers. Police engaged him in a shootout and he was shot and killed.

Investigation:
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department is assisting the Pasadena Police Department in the investigation. The names of the involved officer(s) have not been publicly disclosed.

• https://www.pasadenanow.com/main/police-involved-shooting-in-pasadena-ends-in-fatality/
• https://abc7.com/pasadena-police-shooting-carjacking-suspect-gevork-minissian/11364572/
• https://www.latimes.com/california/story/pasadena-police-involved-shooting-november-2021

On 11/22/2021, U.S. Marshals were attempting to serve an arrest warrant in the 700 block of N Sunset Avenue in West Covina, California. According to law enforcement, the individual ran from officers and allegedly produced a firearm. A West Covina police officer assigned to the U.S. Marshals Pacific Southwest Regional Fugitive Task Force opened fire, killing the individual.

• https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/west-covina-police-shooting-11-22-21/
• https://www.latimes.com/california/story/west-covina-police-shooting-november-2021
• https://abc7.com/west-covina-shooting-u-s-marshals-task-force-incident/

California Highway Patrol officers alleged that Chavez "exhibited behavior leading them to use a stun gun," not further explaining the behavior. Chavez reportedly moved toward the officers. Officer Daniel Castaneda opened fire, killing Chavez. Chavez had been unarmed.
Investigation:
The California Department of Justice (DOJ) conducted an investigation as required by Assembly Bill 1506 for officer-involved shootings of unarmed civilians. The DOJ report, released in May 2023, confirmed that Chavez had been unarmed when killed.

• https://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/california-department-justice-releases-report-officer-involved-shooting-leonel
• https://openpayrolls.com/employee/daniel-s-castaneda-9571
• https://www.foxla.com/news/el-sereno-shooting-attorney-releases-video-leonel-chavez
• https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/ca-doj-refuses-to-charge-chp-officers-that-shot-and-killed-unarmed-man-in-el-sereno/
• https://fightbacknews.org/articles/los-angeles-family-holds-protest-1-year-after-california-highway-patrol-killed-beloved-leo

On 09/27/2021, at approximately 3:15 p.m., Manuela "Mona" Rodriguez, 18, was involved in a physical altercation with a 15-year-old girl near Millikan High School in Long Beach, California. Long Beach Unified School District Safety Officer Eddie F. Gonzalez intervened in the fight.
.
As Rodriguez entered the front passenger seat of a car driven by her boyfriend, with his 16-year-old brother in the back seat, Gonzalez approached the vehicle. As the car began to drive away, Gonzalez fired two shots into the vehicle, one of which struck Rodriguez in the back of the head. She was transported to a hospital and remained on life support until October 5, 2021, when she was pronounced dead.
.
Investigation and Legal Proceedings:
The Long Beach Unified School District Board of Education terminated Gonzalez's employment, citing violation of the district's use-of-force policy, which prohibits shooting at moving vehicles. Gonzalez was subsequently charged with murder.
In April 2024, a mistrial was declared after the jury failed to reach a unanimous verdict, with seven jurors voting to convict on the charge of murder and five voting to acquit. On August 20, 2024, Gonzalez pleaded no contest to one count of voluntary manslaughter. On October 8, 2024, he was sentenced to three years in prison, with credit for time already served.
.
Civil Settlement:
In April 2023, Rodriguez's family reached a $13 million settlement with the Long Beach Unified School District in a wrongful death lawsuit. The lawsuit alleged negligent hiring and training of Gonzalez and violation of district policies.

• https://da.lacounty.gov/media/news/long-beach-safety-officer-sentenced-shooting-death-18-year-old-woman-near-millikan-high
• https://lbpost.com/news/mona-rodriguez-eddie-gonzalez-shooting-death-sentencing/
• https://abc7.com/post/mona-rodriguez-shooting-ex-long-beach-school-safety-officer-walks-free-after-being-sentenced-time-served/15406069/
• https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/family-of-mona-rodriguez-reaches-13m-settlement-with-school-district-in-shooting-death/3128754/
• https://www.foxla.com/news/mona-rodriguez-case-13m-settlement-announced-in-fatal-shooting-involving-long-beach-school-officer
• https://lbpost.com/news/crime/mona-rodriguez-settlement-13-million-lbusd-safety-officer
• https://people.com/crime/calif-teen-shot-dead-school-safety-officer-13m-settlement/
• https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/long-beach-family-awarded-13-million-settlement-for-fatal-school-resource-officer-shooting-mona-rodriguez/
• https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/mistrial-declared-in-shooting-death-of-young-mother-in-long-beach/3389999/
• https://lawandcrime.com/crime/family-of-teen-shot-by-school-resource-officer-announces-13-million-wrongful-death-settlement/
 

On 09/20/2021, at approximately 12:55 p.m., Signal Hill Police Department officers responded to a report of a stabbing at a grocery store in the 1600 block of East Willow Street in Signal Hill, California. Upon arrival, officers found a man who had been stabbed in the upper torso. He was transported to a hospital in fair condition. Witnesses provided a description of the attacker, later identified as 42-year-old Phillip Lopez, who was reportedly fleeing westbound on Willow Street. An officer located Lopez and attempted to detain him.
.
The officer exited his vehicle to pursue on foot. Lopez produced a large knife and moved toward the officer. The officer opened fire, striking Lopez. He was transported to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
.
Investigation:
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department is assisting the Signal Hill Police Department in the investigation of the officer-involved shooting. The names of the involved officer(s) have not been disclosed.

• https://lbpost.com/news/authorities-identify-man-fatally-shot-by-signal-hill-police/
• https://heysocal.com/2021/09/20/man-shot-killed-by-signal-hill-police-willow-st-partly-closed/
• https://ktla.com/news/local-news/officer-fatally-shoots-man-suspected-in-signal-hill-supermarket-stabbing/
• https://kfiam640.iheart.com/content/2021-09-23-authorities-id-man-fatally-shot-by-signal-hill-police-officer/
• https://abc7.com/signal-hill-shooting-officer-involved-lasd-investigation/

An FBI agent deputized as a U.S. Marshal was attempting to serve federal and state arrest warrants on Michael Jonathan Cortez for unknown reasons. The agent arrived at a store, exited his vehicle with his weapon drawn, and entered the store. Surveillance footage does not capture events inside the store. According to reports, the agent gave Cortez unknown commands. Cortez attempted to flee, bumped into the agent, and allegedly pulled a gun, resulting in the agent shooting him dead. Inconsistencies were noted between the FBI agent’s report and physician accounts of the entry wound. The FBI has not disclosed the agent's identity or provided the store’s security footage.

https://www.ktvu.com/news/family-of-man-killed-by-fbi-agent-want-answers-surveillance-video-confiscated-by-law-enforcement

On September 3, 2021, Cedric Baxter, 60, of Compton, California, was involved in a violent incident in Buena Park.Baxter was observed firing a handgun at a school bus near Orangethorpe Avenue and Western Avenue. The bus was occupied by his estranged wife, who was the driver, and a 6-year-old child. Neither the driver nor the child was injured. Police escalated a chase, during which he rammed the school bus multiple times with his SUV. The chase concluded at the Buena Park School District parking lot, where Baxter crashed into a parked vehicle. As officers approached, Baxter exited his vehicle with a firearm, leading to an exchange of gunfire. Baxter was pronounced dead at the scene. He had a history of domestic violence and was under a restraining order at the time of the incident.

https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/socal-police-chases/dashcam-video-buena-park-police-pursuit-school-bus-shooting-chase/2763610/
https://abc7.com/body-cam-video-released-buena-park-officer-involved-shooting-man-shoots-at-school-bus-police-chase/11251250/
https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/police-release-dash-and-body-cam-footage-of-man-firing-on-a-school-bus-and-fatal-officer-involved-shooting-that-ensued/

On September 3, 2021, the Los Angeles Police Department officers, who were investigating human-trafficking suspects, attempted to pull over a Mercedes-Benz during undercover surveillance in Koreatown. The vehicle fled, and the chase ended at the intersection of Sixth Street and Wilton Avenue when the Mercedes collided with three other vehicles. The driver of a white Toyota truck, an innocent bystander, was pronounced dead at the scene. The identity of the deceased has not been released.

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-09-03/lapd-pursuit-crash-involving-human-trafficking-suspects-kills-uninvolved-motorist-in-koreatown

On 08/25/2021, at approximately 8:20 p.m., Redondo Beach Police Department officers responded to multiple 911 calls reporting an active shooter at the Redondo Beach Pier, located in the 100 block of West Torrance Boulevard. Upon arrival, officers encountered 36-year-old Kenneth Vessell, who had reportedly shot and injured two individuals: a man in his 70s and a teenage boy. Both victims were transported to local hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries.
.
Witnesses stated that Vessell was acting erratically, asking people if they had a problem with him before pulling out a firearm and opening fire. After the initial shootings, Vessell fled toward the pier's parking lot, where he fired at another individual, who was not hit.
.
Officers pursued Vessell to a rocky embankment near the waterline. When officers attempted to detain him, they fired and shot him in the upper torso. He was pronounced dead on the beach.
.
Investigation:
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department is assisting the Redondo Beach Police Department with the investigation. The names of the involved officers have not been disclosed.

• https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/2-wounded-shooting-redondo-beach-pier-gunman-killed-by-police/
• https://spectrumnews1.com/ca/southern-california/public-safety/2021/09/02/gunman-in-redondo-pier-shooting-identified
• https://lbpost.com/news/long-beach-gunman-redondo-pier/
• https://patch.com/california/redondobeach/authorities-identify-redondo-beach-pier-shooter
• https://ktla.com/news/local-news/police-respond-to-shooting-on-redondo-beach-pier/

On August 7, 2021, around 1:30 a.m., Ukiah Police attempted to stop a 2017 Volkswagen Beetle for running a red light. The 15-year-old driver fled south on U.S. Highway 101 at over 100 mph. After exiting at Rivino Ranch Road, the car went airborne at the intersection with Burke Hill Drive, crashed into a tree, and landed upside down. Passenger Selena Clark-Quintero, 14, of Potter Valley, died at the scene. The driver and another passenger, a 13-year-old from Ukiah, suffered major injuries.

TOTAL FATALITIES/INJURIES: 1 fatality, 2 injuries

https://mendovoice.com/2021/08/one-teenager-killed-and-two-more-injured-in-solo-crash-while-fleeing-ukiah-police/
https://kymkemp.com/2021/08/09/pursuit-ends-with-14-year-old-dead-two-with-major-injuries-near-ukiah/
https://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/news/1-teen-dead-2-injured-in-ukiah-crash-after-15-year-old-driver-flees-police/
https://www.ukiahdailyjournal.com/2021/08/09/ukiah-crash-kills-teen-injures-two-others
https://www.willitsnews.com/2021/08/09/teen-dies-in-crash-ukiah-police-chase/

On August 7, 2021, Bakersfield Police responded to a domestic violence call and separate reports that Che Noe Zuniga Jr., 21, had fired at a security guard. Officers attempted a traffic stop, but Zuniga fled in a green Chevy pickup. The pursuit ended when he crashed near Harris and Stine Roads and fled on foot. Officers later found him hiding in a trash can on the 5700 block of Autumn Crest Drive. When discovered, Zuniga reportedly charged officers and was shot and killed. The California Department of Justice investigated and found the officers’ use of force lawful.

https://bakersfieldnow.com/news/local/suspect-identified-in-officer-involved-shootings-in-southwest-bakersfield
https://bakersfieldnow.com/news/local/body-camera-footage-released-in-ois-that-left-suspect-dead-in-august
https://oag.ca.gov/system/files/ois/report/2024_07_Zuniga_AB1506_Report.pdf
https://www.turnto23.com/news/local-news/bpd-identifies-man-shot-and-killed-by-officers-after-shooting-at-police
https://www.kget.com/news/local-news/police-id-man-killed-in-southwest-bakersfield-shooting/

On 08/06/2021, La Habra police responded to a disturbance involving a man who followed a woman from the freeway to the police station. Police confronted him outside the department. He drew a handgun and fired at officers, striking one officer. Police opened fire with multiple rounds and killed him in front of the station.

https://abc7.com/post/la-habra-officer-involved-shooting-suspect-shot-deadly-shootout-gunfight/12591907/
https://abc7.com/post/la-habra-police-shooting-department/10937545/

On 08/05/2021, Los Angeles police attempted to stop a vehicle wanted in an armed robbery investigation. The driver refused to stop and police escalated a chase through Northridge at very high speed. No PIT maneuvers were reported. Around 12:30 a.m., the fleeing vehicle entered the intersection of Nordhoff Street and Tampa Avenue and collided with the car driven by Erick Barbosa-Guardado. He died at the scene. Police arrested the driver of the fleeing vehicle after the crash.

https://abc7.com/northridge-pursuit-crash-erick-barbosa-guardado/10930363/
https://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2021/08/05/erick-barbosa-guardado-killed-northridge-crash-police-pursuit/

On August 4, 2021, at approximately 12:30 a.m., Glendora Police Department officers responded to a domestic violence call on Myrtle Street, where a woman reported that her boyfriend, 21-year-old Dylan Christopher Harmer, had assaulted her and was armed with a handgun. Upon arrival, Harmer exited the residence and pointed a black semi-automatic handgun at the officers before retreating back inside. He then fled the scene on foot. Azusa Police Department officers were called to assist in the search.
.
Harmer was located near the intersection of Glendora Avenue and West Route 66, where he was attempting to carjack at least two vehicles. When confronted by officers, he reportedly turned and pointed his firearm at an Azusa Police Department officer, who then shot and killed him.
.
Investigation:
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department is assisting the Azusa Police Department in the investigation of this officer-involved shooting. The names of the involved officers have not been publicly disclosed.

• https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/21-year-old-dylan-harmer-of-glendora-identified-as-man-shot-and-killed-wednesday-by-azusa-police/
• https://abc7.com/azusa-glendora-police-shooting-man/10929524/
• https://patch.com/california/glendora/glendora-resident-idd-man-shot-killed-azusa-police
• https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/armed-domestic-violence-suspect-shot-to-death-by-azusa-police/
• https://www.foxla.com/news/man-who-allegedly-pointed-gun-at-officers-shot-and-killed-by-police-gunfire

On August 1, 2021, a man ran from Riverside Police officers during a foot pursuit on Vernon Avenue. During the chase, the man fell and struck his head. He was transported to a hospital, where he died from the head injury. No name has been publicly released. The department said the man was a parolee with an active warrant, but no further identifying information was provided.

https://www.dailybulletin.com/2021/08/01/police-man-dies-after-falling-hitting-head-during-pursuit-in-riverside/
https://www.instagram.com/p/CSNhYKbhAFm/
https://www.pe.com/2021/08/02/parolee-dies-after-fleeing-riverside-police-and-falling/
https://www.kesq.com/news/2021/08/02/man-dies-after-fleeing-police-in-riverside/
https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/parolee-dies-after-falling-while-running-from-riverside-police/2663729/

On 07/31/2021, a man being pursued by a deputy of the Amador County Sheriff’s Office crashed his pickup truck into a power pole after crossing into on coming traffic and apparently losing control. The crash ignited a fire, and the driver was found deceased inside the vehicle. The pursuit had lasted only a few minutes and ended on State Route 88 near Pioneer.

https://www.sacbee.com/news/local/crime/article253169293.html
https://www.cbsnews.com/gooddaysacramento/news/man-dies-following-amador-county-sheriff-pursuit/

On July 27, 2021, Mario Territo III died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound following a police pursuit initiated by Vacaville Police Department. The chase was conducted along Interstate 80 and ended near Cordelia Junction in Fairfield. After officers stopped the vehicle, they found Territo inside with a gunshot wound to the head. A handgun was recovered from the vehicle. Territo was transported to a hospital where he was pronounced dead. The incident is under investigation.

https://solanonews.substack.com/p/breaking-1-dead-at-end-of-police
https://solanonews.substack.com/p/exclusive-man-who-fatally-shot-self-a35
https://www.cbsnews.com/sacramento/news/vacaville-police-chase-driver-kills-self-alamo-dr/

On 07/26/2021, officers from the LAPD responded to a call of an assault with a deadly weapon (knife) near South Union Avenue and Pico Boulevard in Los Angeles. A bystander (an off-duty officer) reported seeing Mr. Soto bleeding from the neck and holding a knife, and he began walking toward the officers and others while brandishing the blade. The officers ordered him to stop; he did not comply and advanced roughly within five to ten feet while holding the knife, prompting Officer Martinez to fire two shots (which missed), then a third shot that struck Mr. Soto in the abdomen. He was transported to the hospital, underwent surgery, remained hospitalized for months, and died on 11/02/2021 from complications. The state California Department of Justice reviewed the case under AB 1506 and concluded there was insufficient evidence to support criminal charges against the officers, while also recommending policy and practice improvements for LAPD.

https://oag.ca.gov/system/files/ois/report/2024_02_Soto_AB1506_Report.pdf
https://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/california-department-justice-releases-report-officer-involved-shooting-samuel
https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-02-09/no-charges-for-lapd-officers-who-fatally-shot-man-in-pico-union

On 07/23/2021, officers from the San Diego Police Department pursued a vehicle driven by Jesus Salvador Valeta after a shooting was reported and a vehicle matching the description was located near 54th Street and El Cajon Boulevard. Police attempted to stop the vehicle; Valeta fled on foot onto the property of a fast food restaurant near the intersection. Investigators say he tripped while running, dropped a handgun, picked it back up, and then made a motion with the gun while on his knees. Two officers fired their service weapons; Valeta was taken to a hospital where he later died of his injuries.

https://www.10news.com/news/local-news/san-diego-news/san-diego-police-release-bodycam-footage-of-fatal-talmadge-shooting
https://timesofsandiego.com/crime/2021/07/27/suspect-who-was-fatally-shot-by-police-in-talmadge-area-idd/
https://www.cbs8.com/article/news/local/sdpd-releases-video-of-fatal-shooting-talmadge-area-strip-mall/509-d390a0d7-553b-4c89-9608-9e7329810101

On July 6, 2021, a 32-year-old man named Steven Adam Calderon of Los Angeles died following a prolonged standoff with law enforcement in Paso Robles, California. Earlier the day before, officers had been called to an apartment complex around 4 p.m. after reports that Calderon had fired a weapon from a balcony, threatened a woman with a gun, and pointed a firearm at his girlfriend. He barricaded himself inside the residence while armed. The San Luis Obispo Regional SWAT team was activated for the high-risk situation. After several hours of negotiation and multiple shots fired by him at officers or their armored vehicle, Calderon emerged early the next morning and set his gun down. He then allegedly reached toward the firearm while on the porch and was shot and fatally wounded by SWAT officers.

https://www.ksby.com/news/local-news/police-release-name-of-man-killed-in-paso-robles-officer-involved-shooting
https://pasoroblesdailynews.com/police-chief-holds-press-conference-regarding-police-shooting-suspect/128839/

On 07/05/2021, CHP officers initiated a vehicle pursuit that began in the Pasadena area and ended in downtown Los Angeles when the fleeing driver rammed a patrol car. The driver was shot by officers following the crash and died at the scene. The circumstances around the ramming and the subsequent use of force are under investigation.

https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/driver-shot-chase-pursuit-downtown-la-pasadena-chp/2631648/

On June 28, 2021, the Los Angeles Police Department’s Mission Division observed Christopher Garcia driving recklessly near Osborne Street and Laurel Canyon Boulevard around 10 a.m. The officers attempted a traffic stop and a pursuit ensued onto the northbound I-5 Freeway. The chase ended at the Terra Bella Street off-ramp where Garcia lost control of his vehicle and exited it while holding a handgun. Officers ordered him to drop the weapon. Garcia allegedly pointed it at them, prompting officers to open fire. He was transported to a hospital and pronounced dead later that morning.

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-06-28/man-shot-by-lapd-in-pacoima-after-car-pursuit

On 06/28/2021, security forces from Vandenberg Space Force Base attempted to stop a 47-year-old man from Lompoc, who they say was driving erratically and repeatedly weaving across lanes along northbound Highway 1. The man refused to yield and fled at high speed. The chase ended around 9:45 p.m. when his GMC Denali failed to negotiate a curve, left the roadway, plunged off an embankment and rolled onto its roof. Officers were unable to open the doors initially due to extensive damage, and the driver was extracted at approximately 10:40 p.m. and was pronounced dead at the scene.

https://keyt.com/news/traffic/2021/06/28/driver-being-pursued-by-space-force-base-security-killed-in-rollover-crash/
https://www.ksby.com/news/local-news/fatal-vehicle-rollover-closes-part-of-highway-1/

On June 27, 2021, at approximately 12:50 p.m., Azusa Police Department officers responded to a domestic dispute call in the 900 block of West Sierra Madre Avenue. Upon arrival, they encountered 59-year-old Jerome Barber, who was armed with a large kitchen knife. Officers issued multiple commands for Barber to drop the weapon, which he ignored. Barber walked in and out of his residence several times, appearing frustrated and irritated. He then rushed toward the officers, prompting them to deploy less-lethal munitions, which were ineffective. As Barber continued to charge with the knife, an officer opened fire, fatally wounding him. Barber was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigation:
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department is assisting the Azusa Police Department in the investigation of this officer-involved shooting. The names of the involved officers have not been publicly disclosed.

• https://www.foxla.com/news/officer-involved-shooting-investigation-underway-in-azusa
• https://heysocal.com/2021/06/28/man-holding-knife-that-was-shot-and-killed-by-azusa-police-identified/
• https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/man-killed-in-shooting-involving-police-in-azusa/2626142/
• https://abc7.com/azusa-police-shooting-man-killed-in-with-knife-deparment/10838821/
• https://kfiam640.iheart.com/content/2021-06-28-coroner-releases-name-of-man-killed-in-azusa-police-shooting/

On June 26, 2021, 86-year-old Aida Villavicencio was in her home when a police chased a vehicle at high speed until it crashed into her home in the Crenshaw neighborhood of Los Angeles. The incident began when a driver rear-ended a Los Angeles Police Department patrol car near Hobart and Martin Luther King Boulevard. As officers approached, the driver fled. Police escalated a chase. The driver lost control of his SUV near the 3900 block of South Buckingham Road, crashing into the Villavicencio residence. Aida Villavicencio was pronounced dead at the scene. Her 92-year-old husband sustained critical injuries and was hospitalized.

https://abc7.com/crenshaw-crash-suv-crashes-into-home-elderly-woman-killed-police-chase/10833912/
https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/suv-driver-crashes-into-house-crenshaw-baldwin-hills-house/2625775/
https://www.californiainjuryblog.com/elderly-woman-killed-after-driver-crashes-into-crenshaw-home/

On June 23, 2021, a man driving a stolen big rig was fatally shot by California Highway Patrol officers after a high-speed wrong-way pursuit through multiple Inland Empire freeways. The chase began when San Bernardino Police reported the theft of a flatbed truck. The driver was located on the 210 Freeway traveling westbound in the eastbound lanes. The chase continued onto the 215 and 10 freeways, with the driver repeatedly driving against traffic. CHP deployed spike strips near Sierra Avenue on the 10 Freeway. The driver attempted a U-turn and struck a CHP vehicle, at which point officers opened fire and killed him. A male passenger sustained minor injuries and was taken into custody.

https://www.latimes.com/ alifornia/story/2021-06-23/wrong-way-chase-ends-in-fatal-shooting-eastbound-10-closed-in-fontana
https://abc7.com/10-freeway-fontana-closed-chase/10823415/
https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/big-rig-pursuit-police-shooting-10-freeway-fontana/2622922/

On 06/15/2021, Juan Miguel Bejar, age 37, was pursued by U.S. Border Patrol and Riverside County deputies on I-215 near Ethanac Road. Bejar allegedly exited his vehicle armed with a handgun and fled on foot into traffic lanes. Deputies opened fire, and Bejar was pronounced dead at a hospital.

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-06-17/deputies-kill-man-on-215-freeway-after-riverside-county-chase
https://patch.com/california/lakeelsinore-wildomar/man-shot-killed-deputies-i-215-identified-coroner

On 06/05/2021, a 38-year-old man driving a Honda Accord the wrong way on the 118 Freeway in the San Fernando Valley was pursued by law enforcement. The chase continued into Sherman Oaks, where the driver collided with a Subaru occupied by a bystander. The Honda’s driver sustained fatal injuries, and firefighters had to cut the roof from the car to extract him. The bystander in the Subaru survived. Authorities from both the California Highway Patrol and Los Angeles Police Department responded to the scene.

https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/police-pursuit-ends-in-fatal-crash-in-san-fernando-valley/2616206/
https://abc7.com/118-freeway-wrong-way-driver-fatal-crash-sherman-oaks/10797158/
https://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2021/06/05/san-fernando-valley-police-chase-fatal-crash/

On 06/04/2021, at approximately 12:10 p.m., Whittier Police Department officers responded to a call reporting a person with a gun near a city dog park in Whittier, California. Upon arrival, officers determined that the individual had already left the area.
Shortly thereafter, another officer located the man on a city-maintained bike trail near the 12400 block of Mar Vista Street. According to police, the man allegedly pulled a handgun out of his pocket. The officer opened fire, killing the man.
.
Investigation:
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the officer-involved shooting. The identity of the deceased and the involved officer(s) has not been publicly disclosed.

• https://www.whittierpd.org/
• https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/police-shooting-whittier-california-bike-trail-suspect/
• https://www.losangeles.cbs.com/news/whittier-police-involved-shooting-june-2021/

On 06/02/2021, a pursuit by Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies ended in the City of Industry when a 2019 Nissan Sentra being chased for armed robbery reversed direction and crashed head-on into a Freightliner truck near the 60 Freeway and South Workman Mill Road. The vehicle’s passenger, 27-year-old James Dringenberg, was pronounced dead at the scene. Two other individuals in the vehicle were injured, one critically.

https://www.foxla.com/news/1-killed-another-seriously-hurt-in-crash-in-city-of-industry
https://www.sgvtribune.com/2021/06/02/one-dead-one-critically-injured-after-pursuit-ends-in-crash-in-city-of-industry/

On 06/01/2021, 28-year-old Angel Hernandez Grado, a Latino man from California, was pursued by the California Highway Patrol after reports that he had assaulted his girlfriend with an ax. Police escalated a chase that ended on Interstate 5 near Camp Pendleton. During the pursuit, Grado livestreamed himself as he crashed and then shot himself. He died at the scene from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

https://nypost.com/2021/06/01/california-man-livestreams-suicide-after-police-chase/
https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/california-man-live-streamed-suicide-172500492.html
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/crime/angel-hernandez-grado-california-livestream-suicide-b1858100.html
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/california-man-livestreams-his-death-during-police-pursuit-n1269104
https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-06-02/california-man-livestreams-suicide-after-police-pursuit

On 05/31/2021, deputies from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department attempted to stop a motorcycle with no license plate in Yucca Valley. The rider, identified as 29-year-old Bilal Winston Shabazz of Lancaster, failed to stop, and police escalated a pursuit. Shabazz abandoned the motorcycle and fled on foot through several properties. Sgt. Dominic Vaca attempted to detain him, and Shabazz opened fire, fatally wounding Vaca. Other deputies returned fire, striking and killing Shabazz. A loaded handgun and two ammunition magazines were recovered near his body.
TOTAL FATALITIES/INJURIES: 2 fatalities

https://www.sbsun.com/2021/06/01/suspect-29-idd-in-shootout-that-killed-san-bernardino-county-sheriffs-sergeant/
https://abc7.com/yucca-valley-shooting-sergeant-dominic-vaca-san-bernardino-county-sheriffs-department/10716053/
https://ktla.com/news/local-news/sheriff-identifies-man-who-fatally-shot-san-bernardino-county-sheriffs-sergeant-in-yucca-valley/
https://www.pe.com/2021/06/01/sheriff-identifies-man-who-fatally-shot-san-bernardino-county-sheriffs-sergeant-in-yucca-valley/
https://www.desertsun.com/story/news/crime_courts/2021/06/01/suspect-killed-shooting-san-bernardino-county-sheriffs-sergeant-identified/5284830001/

On 05/26/2021, a 28-year-old man was pursued by multiple agencies following a domestic violence report in San Diego. Police escalated a chase that continued north on Interstate 5 toward the Orange County line. The vehicle was disabled by spike strips near Christianitos Road and came to a stop, resulting in a standoff. The man attempted to flee again but stopped and shot himself in the head. He was transported to a hospital and later pronounced dead.

https://www.10news.com/news/local-news/pursuit-leads-to-standoff-on-i-5-north-of-san-diego-county
https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/driver-dies-after-standoff-following-pursuit-from-san-diego-to-orange-county/2607195/
https://fox5sandiego.com/news/local-news/driver-dies-after-pursuit-ends-in-standoff-on-i-5-near-san-onofre/
https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-05-26/driver-dies-after-standoff-on-i-5-north-of-san-diego-county
https://www.cbs8.com/article/news/local/pursuit-standoff-i-5-san-onofre/509-5b5efc57-37cc-4e15-a7bc-17f26d02e856

On 05/18/2021, 16-year-old Xander Mann fled from a traffic stop conducted by the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office in the Riverbank area. Deputies escalated a pursuit that ended when the vehicle was stopped using a tactical maneuver. During the encounter that followed, a deputy opened fire, fatally shooting Mann. He was pronounced dead shortly afterward.

https://www.kcra.com/article/17-year-old-shot-deputies-pursuit-dies-stanislaus-county-sheriffs-office/36535905
https://www.modbee.com/news/local/article251781633.html
https://www.modbee.com/news/local/crime/article251780458.html
https://www.modbee.com/news/local/article252886813.html

On May 17, 2021, at approximately 5:00 p.m., a Monterey Park Police Department officer was nearing the end of his shift and went to the Monterey Park Fire Department's headquarters, located in the 300 block of West Newmark Avenue, to refuel his vehicle. A man, later identified as 57-year-old Yong Liu, followed the officer in a Nissan SUV into a secured parking lot. After the officer parked and exited his vehicle, Liu, armed with a knife, allegedly charged at the officer. The officer opened fire, striking Liu. Liu was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
.
Investigation:
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department is assisting the Monterey Park Police Department in the investigation of this officer-involved shooting. The names of the involved officer(s) have not been publicly disclosed.
.

• https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/monterey-park-fire-station-police-shooting/
• https://heysocal.com/2021/05/17/officers-fatally-shoot-man-outside-monterey-park-police-station/

An agent attempted to stop a vehicle believed to be involved in human trafficking. The vehicle did not stop, leading to a brief pursuit. The vehicle eventually stopped at a gas station where three agents fired into the vehicle, resulting in the death of the driver, Silvestre Vargas Estrada.

https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2021/05/15/border-patrol-agents-fatally-shoot-driver-in-campo-following-pursuit/

On 05/13/2021, police in Visalia, California, pursued a stolen van driven by a 20-year-old man. The chase ended at the intersection of Goshen Avenue and Demaree Street when Olivarez crashed into a Ford SUV driven by 43-year-old Jessica Bingaman. Bingaman, who operated a local dog daycare business, was killed in the collision along with five of the six dogs in her vehicle.
TOTAL FATALITIES/INJURIES: 1 fatality, 5 animal fatalities

https://abc30.com/visalia-police-chase-fatal-crash-jessica-bingaman-dog-trainer/10641463/
https://www.visaliatimesdelta.com/story/news/2021/05/14/visalia-woman-killed-5-dogs-die-after-police-chase-crash/5092289001/
https://www.yourcentralvalley.com/news/local-news/visalia-police-identify-driver-and-victim-in-deadly-crash-after-chase/

On 05/12/2021, in Bakersfield, California, law enforcement agencies responded to a reported attempted kidnapping of a juvenile in the 2200 block of Niles Street. The man fled in a vehicle, leading a pursuit southbound on Highway 99 and then northbound on Interstate 5. The chase ended when the vehicle struck the center guardrail repeatedly, became disabled just north of the I-5 split, and was involved in a standoff. SWAT officers deployed a Taser and took the adult male suspect into custody, but he became unresponsive and was transported to a hospital where he died. The investigation into the cause of death is ongoing.

https://bakersfieldnow.com/news/local/all-i-5-lanes-north-of-laval-rd-closed-due-to-police-activity

On 05/05/2021, Los Angeles police pursued a 27-year-old man in the Hollywood neighborhood after attempting to detain him. The man fled on foot, climbed a fence, and was struck with a Taser during the pursuit. Moments later, he produced a firearm and fatally shot himself. Police reported that no officers fired their weapons. The incident is under investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department’s Force Investigation Division.

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-05-05/lapd-says-man-fatally-shot-himself-after-police-pursuit-taser-deployment