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On March 2, 2021, authorities pursued an SUV suspected of human smuggling that originated near the U.S.–Mexico border in Texas and crossed into California. The chase ended near Holtville, where the overloaded Ford Expedition collided with a tractor-trailer on Highway 115. The crash killed 13 occupants and injured more than a dozen others. U.S. Border Patrol confirmed the vehicle entered the country through a gap in the border fence before the pursuit began. The mass-casualty crash became one of the deadliest pursuit-related incidents linked to cross-border smuggling operations in recent U.S. history.

TOTAL FATALITIES/INJURIES: 13 fatalities, 12 injuries

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-03-02/at-least-13-dead-in-california-car-crash-involving-suv-traveling-from-mexico
https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/02/us/california-car-crash-holtville/index.html
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/13-dead-california-crash-border-patrol-human-smuggling-rcna362

On March 2, 2021, authorities pursued an SUV suspected of human smuggling that originated near the U.S.–Mexico border in Texas and crossed into California. The chase ended near Holtville, where the overloaded Ford Expedition collided with a tractor-trailer on Highway 115. The crash killed 13 occupants and injured more than a dozen others. U.S. Border Patrol confirmed the vehicle entered the country through a gap in the border fence before the pursuit began. The mass-casualty crash became one of the deadliest pursuit-related incidents linked to cross-border smuggling operations in recent U.S. history.

TOTAL FATALITIES/INJURIES: 13 fatalities, 12 injuries

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-03-02/at-least-13-dead-in-california-car-crash-involving-suv-traveling-from-mexico
https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/02/us/california-car-crash-holtville/index.html
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/13-dead-california-crash-border-patrol-human-smuggling-rcna362

On March 2, 2021, authorities pursued an SUV suspected of human smuggling that originated near the U.S.–Mexico border in Texas and crossed into California. The chase ended near Holtville, where the overloaded Ford Expedition collided with a tractor-trailer on Highway 115. The crash killed 13 occupants and injured more than a dozen others. U.S. Border Patrol confirmed the vehicle entered the country through a gap in the border fence before the pursuit began. The mass-casualty crash became one of the deadliest pursuit-related incidents linked to cross-border smuggling operations in recent U.S. history.

TOTAL FATALITIES/INJURIES: 13 fatalities, 12 injuries

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-03-02/at-least-13-dead-in-california-car-crash-involving-suv-traveling-from-mexico
https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/02/us/california-car-crash-holtville/index.html
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/13-dead-california-crash-border-patrol-human-smuggling-rcna362

On March 2, 2021, authorities pursued an SUV suspected of human smuggling that originated near the U.S.–Mexico border in Texas and crossed into California. The chase ended near Holtville, where the overloaded Ford Expedition collided with a tractor-trailer on Highway 115. The crash killed 13 occupants and injured more than a dozen others. U.S. Border Patrol confirmed the vehicle entered the country through a gap in the border fence before the pursuit began. The mass-casualty crash became one of the deadliest pursuit-related incidents linked to cross-border smuggling operations in recent U.S. history.

TOTAL FATALITIES/INJURIES: 13 fatalities, 12 injuries

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-03-02/at-least-13-dead-in-california-car-crash-involving-suv-traveling-from-mexico
https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/02/us/california-car-crash-holtville/index.html
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/13-dead-california-crash-border-patrol-human-smuggling-rcna362

On March 2, 2021, authorities pursued an SUV suspected of human smuggling that originated near the U.S.–Mexico border in Texas and crossed into California. The chase ended near Holtville, where the overloaded Ford Expedition collided with a tractor-trailer on Highway 115. The crash killed 13 occupants and injured more than a dozen others. U.S. Border Patrol confirmed the vehicle entered the country through a gap in the border fence before the pursuit began. The mass-casualty crash became one of the deadliest pursuit-related incidents linked to cross-border smuggling operations in recent U.S. history.

TOTAL FATALITIES/INJURIES: 13 fatalities, 12 injuries

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-03-02/at-least-13-dead-in-california-car-crash-involving-suv-traveling-from-mexico
https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/02/us/california-car-crash-holtville/index.html
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/13-dead-california-crash-border-patrol-human-smuggling-rcna362

On March 2, 2021, authorities pursued an SUV suspected of human smuggling that originated near the U.S.–Mexico border in Texas and crossed into California. The chase ended near Holtville, where the overloaded Ford Expedition collided with a tractor-trailer on Highway 115. The crash killed 13 occupants and injured more than a dozen others. U.S. Border Patrol confirmed the vehicle entered the country through a gap in the border fence before the pursuit began. The mass-casualty crash became one of the deadliest pursuit-related incidents linked to cross-border smuggling operations in recent U.S. history.

TOTAL FATALITIES/INJURIES: 13 fatalities, 12 injuries

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-03-02/at-least-13-dead-in-california-car-crash-involving-suv-traveling-from-mexico
https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/02/us/california-car-crash-holtville/index.html
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/13-dead-california-crash-border-patrol-human-smuggling-rcna362

On 02/25/2021, West Sacramento police officers responded to a report of a man with a knife at a Walmart. Officers encountered Adam John Lundt near the store. Police shot and killed Lundt during the encounter. Authorities did not clarify whether Lundt was holding a knife at the moment he was shot, and officials did not release detailed information explaining what immediately led to the use of lethal force.

https://www.kcra.com/article/man-shot-west-sacramento-police-walmart-identified/35703411

On 02/24/2021, just after midnight, Antioch police officers encountered Arturo Gomez Calel in a roadway during what was described as a mental health crisis. Police reported that Calel struggled with officers during the encounter. During the struggle, officers used a Taser. Calel became unresponsive and died at the scene. Authorities said the death occurred following the Taser use and physical restraint. The circumstances were referred for further investigation.

https://www.ktvu.com/news/man-dies-after-being-tased-in-antioch-police-custody

On February 23, 2021, Joseph Benavente was fatally shot by an Ontario police officer following a brief vehicle pursuit. The incident began when officers attempted to stop Benavente for a vehicle code violation. He fled, leading officers on a short chase that ended on North Beverly Court, a dead-end street off West 6th Street. There, Benavente rammed three police cruisers. An officer exited his vehicle and opened fire, striking Benavente. Paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene. A female passenger in the vehicle was not injured and was arrested on an unrelated citation.

https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/chase-pursuit-deadly-police-shooting-ontario/2533431/
https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-02-23/police-shoot-and-kill-driver-after-3-ontario-cruisers-are-rammed

On February 22, 2021, around 1:00 p.m., a motorcyclist on a Kawasaki refused to stop for the California Highway Patrol while traveling northbound on Interstate 15 near Fallbrook. The rider sped off at high speed and collided with a Toyota Camry and the center guardrail, suffering fatal injuries. He was transported to Palomar Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. The rider’s name was not released by officials, but he was described as a White male. The California Highway Patrol is conducting the investigation.

https://timesofsandiego.com/crime/2021/02/22/kawasaki-rider-flees-chp-traffic-stop-and-dies-in-crash-on-northbound-i-15-near-fallbrook/
https://villagenews.com/roadway-blocked-on-i-15-after-fatal-motorcycle-crash-near-fallbrook/

On February 19, 2021, Costa Mesa Police officers responded to an incident near the 1500 block of South Coast Drive involving 34-year-old Jose David Valdez. Police said Valdez backed his vehicle toward passengers and then accelerated toward officers, prompting them to open fire. Valdez was struck and killed at the scene. The Orange County District Attorney’s Office conducted an investigation and later determined the shooting to be legally justified.

https://www.latimes.com/socal/daily-pilot/news/story/2021-02-19/costa-mesa-officer-involved-shooting-leaves-one-dead
https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/costa-mesa-police-officer-shooting-car/
https://orangecountyda.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Valdez-OIS-SA-21-000554-Final-Signed-letter.pdf

On 02/19/2021, deputies responded to an incident at a residence on Bruce Street in Yreka. Officers encountered Chad Curtis Loynachan and gunfire occurred during the response. Deputies opened fire and killed Loynachan at the scene. Authorities released limited contextual details and the shooting was reviewed by investigators.

https://www.siskiyoudaily.com/story/news/2021/02/20/officer-involved-shooting-yreka/4529983001/
https://krcrtv.com/news/local/deputies-involved-in-fatal-shooting-in-siskiyou-county
https://www.redding.com/story/news/local/2021/02/19/yreka-shooting-investigation/

On February 17, 2021, 32-year-old Hector Javier Puga was killed by police following a pursuit in Hesperia, California. The incident began when California Highway Patrol officers identified Puga's vehicle, a white Ford Expedition, matching the description from a shooting incident the previous evening on Interstate 15. When officers attempted a traffic stop, Puga did not stop. Police escalated a chase involving both CHP and San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department deputies. The chase concluded at the intersection of Peach Avenue and Catalpa Street, where Puga's vehicle became disabled. After an hour-long standoff, during which officers fired beanbags, Puga exited the vehicle and was shot by officers after allegedly reaching for a firearm. Three bystanders—a man, a woman, and a 14-year-old boy—were injured by stray bullets during the incident. The San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office later reviewed the shooting and deemed the use of lethal force legally justified.

https://www.vvng.com/pursuit-suspect-dead-3-bystanders-injured-in-officer-involved-shooting-in-hesperia/
https://da.sbcounty.gov/2024/10/04/officer-involved-shooting-fatal-hesperia-puga-h/
https://da.sbcounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/120/2024/10/OIS-Public-Release-Memo-Puga-Hector.pdf

On 02/15/2021, San Diego County deputies responded to a shooting at a residence on the 15700 block of Lyons Valley Rd where an adult male had been wounded. A second armed individual barricaded himself inside the home, prompting deputies and SWAT personnel to establish containment and attempt resolution for more than sixteen hours. Tactical personnel ultimately entered and located the individual deceased in the attic from an apparent self inflicted gunshot wound. The death occurred during the extended standoff environment following law enforcement containment and negotiation efforts.

https://timesofsandiego.com/crime/2021/02/16/suspected-gunman-found-dead-after-16-hour-swat-standoff-in-jamul/
https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/sdso-swat-respond-after-shooting-leaves-1-injured-in-jamul/2521956/
https://www.cbs8.com/article/news/local/shooting-in-jamul/509-f5aaf8a1-66c5-4d9b-9299-97d630d3440c
 

On 02/15/2021, at approximately 2 p.m., El Monte Police Department officers responded to a robbery report near Garvey Avenue and Durfee Avenue in El Monte, California. Officers observed Francisco Eduardo Flores, 30, who matched the description provided in the report, fleeing onto the eastbound off-ramp of the 10 Freeway at Durfee Avenue.
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An officer chased Flores and escalated a physical altercation. A second officer arrived to join the fight. During the physical fight, at least one officer opened fire, killing Flores. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Homicide Bureau is investigating the shooting. Investigators have confirmed that Flores was unarmed. The officers involved have not been publicly identified.

• https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/el-monte-police-fatally-shoot-man-near-10-freeway/
• https://www.foxla.com/news/man-shot-killed-in-el-monte-lasd-says
• https://abc7.com/officer-involved-shooting-el-monte-ois-los-angeles-sheriffs-dept-lasd/10342682/

On 02/15/2021, Royce Robertson was involved in a dispute with another driver in Indian Wells. Deputies reported that Robertson exited his vehicle and confronted the other driver. Deputies later followed Robertson and encountered him again. According to police, Robertson pulled out an air pistol during the confrontation. Deputies opened fire and shot Robertson multiple times, killing him at the scene.

https://www.newsbreak.com/california/indian-wells/safety/2166371962301/riverside-deputies-shoot-kill-joshua-tree-coffee-company-owner-royce-robertson-during-confrontation-in-indian-wells
https://www.desertsun.com/story/news/crime_courts/2021/04/01/sheriff-joshua-tree-shop-owner-killed-deputies-had-air-pistol/4845902001/
https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/riverside-county-sheriffs-department-video-fatal-shooting-royce-robertson/

On 02/15/2021, San Diego County sheriff’s deputies responded to a call involving Guillermo Vallin Morales at a residence on the 15700 block of Lyons Valley Road in Jamul. Deputies attempted to resolve the situation and a prolonged confrontation followed. During the encounter, deputies opened fire and killed Morales. Investigators later reviewed the shooting and no additional identifying details about the precipitating actions were publicly released.

https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/deputies-fatally-shoot-man-in-jamul/2525283/
https://www.10news.com/news/local-news/east-county-news/man-shot-killed-by-deputies-in-jamul
https://www.cbs8.com/article/news/local/deputy-involved-shooting-in-jamul-under-investigation/509-1f5d8e52-7a5f-4a0f-8c0e-2f4a2bb67d55

On 02/13/2021, Fontana police officers responded to a report of a burglary in progress at a woman’s home. Officers reported finding Daverion Kinard inside the residence and attempting to detain him. Kinard did not stop, and police chased him through multiple neighborhoods. Officers later located him inside an outbuilding. Under circumstances not fully explained by police, officers opened fire and killed Kinard. Authorities withheld specific details about what led to the shooting.

https://ktla.com/news/local-news/fontana-officers-fatally-shoot-man-after-interrupting-home-burglary-police/

On February 12, 2021, 21-year-old bystander Isabella “Bella” Calhoun-Chipress was killed when a police chased an allegedly stolen minivan into her vehicle at Jamacha Road and Sweetwater Road. The 17-year-old driver of the stolen van was reportedly fleeing deputies after a traffic stop. Bella had recently married and was scheduled to begin Marine Corps boot camp in May. She was driving home from work at IKEA when the crash occurred.

https://www.10news.com/news/local-news/mother-makes-plea-for-justice-after-spring-valley-daughter-killed-in-stolen-vehicle-pursuit-crash
https://www.eastcountymagazine.org/newlywed-21-killed-driver-fleeing-sheriff-spring-valley-crash
https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/21-year-old-killed-in-spring-valley-car-crash-just-married-planned-for-marines/2522005/
https://www.cbs8.com/article/news/local/spring-valley-crash-victim-family-speaks-out/509-fb610614-bb3c-445b-9a17-f0e43641dc1f
https://fox5sandiego.com/news/local-news/woman-identified-in-fatal-spring-valley-crash-involving-stolen-van/

In the early morning hours of February 10, 2021, officers from the Los Angeles Police Department attempted to stop a stolen Honda CR-V around 12:30 a.m. in East Los Angeles. The driver refused to stop, and police escalated a pursuit that continued onto the I-10 Freeway. The driver exited near Corporate Center Drive in Monterey Park, lost control, and crashed into a tree. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene, and a female passenger was transported to a hospital with injuries.

https://mynewsla.com/crime/2021/02/10/pursuit-suspect-slams-into-tree-in-monterey-park-killed-passenger-injured/
https://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2021/02/10/monterey-park-police-chase-fatal-crash/
https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/suspect-dies-after-police-pursuit-ends-in-fiery-crash-in-monterey-park/2523915/

On 02/07/2021, around 11:25 a.m., Redding police officers responded to a report of a person waving a gun on the Cypress Avenue Bridge. Officers encountered two men and Brooke Leann Blair on the south curb of the bridge. Police said the group was initially cooperative while officers spoke with them. During the encounter, Blair removed a replica handgun from her waistband and raised it. Officers opened fire and killed her at the scene. The district attorney later ruled the shooting justified.

https://www.actionnewsnow.com/content/news/Officer-Involved-shooting-on-Cypress-Ave-Bridge-in-Redding-573747201.html
https://krcrtv.com/news/local/da-redding-police-officers-justified-in-shooting-death-of-woman-in-2021

On February 6, 2021, at approximately 9:15 p.m., Long Beach Police Department officers responded to reports of a man, later identified as 26-year-old Anthony Steven Loia, walking near Magnolia Avenue and 14th Street, pointing a handgun at people and passing vehicles. Upon arrival, officers located Loia, who matched the description provided by callers. Officers gave multiple commands for Loia to drop his firearm, which he ignored. When he refused to comply, five officers opened fire, striking Loia. Officers immediately performed CPR, but Loia was pronounced dead at the scene. A firearm was recovered near his body.
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Investigation:
The Long Beach Police Department is conducting a thorough investigation into the incident, including reviewing body-worn camera footage from the involved officers. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office is also conducting an independent investigation, as per standard protocol for officer-involved shootings resulting in injury or death. The names of the involved officers have not been publicly disclosed.

• https://lbpost.com/news/police-shooting-ois-long-beach-anthony-loia/
• https://ktla.com/news/local-news/family-friends-hold-vigil-for-26-year-old-father-who-was-fatally-shot-by-long-beach-police/
• https://patch.com/california/los-angeles/man-pointing-gun-passing-vehicles-shot-long-beach-police
• https://www.longbeachlocalnews.com/2021/03/17/long-beach-police-release-body-camera-footage-of-officer-involved-shooting/
• https://sigtrib.com/lbpd-releases-body-camera-footage-showing-events-leading-up-to-police-shooting-of-anthony-loia/
 

On 02/05/2021, California Highway Patrol officers responded to reports of a man in crisis on Interstate 10 near San Antonio Avenue in Upland. Earlier, McMurtry’s wife had contacted authorities seeking help, reporting that he was suicidal. McMurtry was observed moving between lanes of traffic on the freeway while holding a knife. During the encounter with CHP officers, the situation escalated and a trooper opened fire, killing McMurtry at the scene. The district attorney later ruled the shooting justified. McMurtry’s family subsequently filed a civil claim against the state.

https://sbcountyda.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/42/2023/06/OIS-Public-Release-McMurtry-C.pdf
https://www.dailybulletin.com/2021/02/10/man-shot-by-chp-on-i-10-freeway-in-upland-dies/
https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/charley-mcmurtry-family-files-15m-claim-against-state/

On 02/04/2021, shortly after 1 p.m., Nevada County sheriff’s deputies responded to multiple calls reporting a woman walking in the roadway on Alta Sierra Drive with two small children. Callers said the woman appeared distressed and possibly impaired. Deputies made contact with Ariella Sage Eloise Crawford within minutes of arriving. During the encounter, deputies Caleb Toderean and Matthew Harrison opened fire and killed Crawford at the scene. Reporting later indicated that Crawford feared deputies were there to take her children and that deputies said she was holding a knife. The district attorney later cleared the deputies, and a civil appeal filed on behalf of the children was denied.

https://www.theunion.com/news/sheriff-critical-incident-at-names-and-alta-sierra-drive-authorities-investigating-officer-involved-shooting/
https://yubanet.com/regional/district-attorney-report-on-the-officer-involved-shooting-of-sage-crawford-released/
https://www.theunion.com/news/appeal-denied-for-children-of-mother-shot-and-killed-by-ncso-deputies-in-2021/article_4fdd9f2e-87ac-4f02-99e2-68be92b3198d.html

On February 3, 2021, at approximately 3:51 p.m., Pomona Police Department officers attempted to stop a 1990 maroon Honda Accord for a vehicle code violation near San Antonio Avenue and Ninth Street. The driver, later identified as 22-year-old Eli Richard Machado Lopez, did not stop. Police escalated a chase that reached speeds of up to 106 mph.
Police claim they "called off the chase" just before the driver collided with a Nissan Maxima at the intersection of South San Antonio Avenue and Philadelphia Street. The impact was severe, with Pinto-Mendez sustaining fatal injuries. He was pronounced dead at the crash site.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department is investigating the incident. Pinto-Mendez's father suffered a heart attack upon learning of his son's death.

• https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/man-sentenced-to-20-years-to-life-for-pomona-pursuit-crash-that-killed-innocent-driver/
• https://kfiam640.iheart.com/featured/la-local-news/content/2024-05-28-ex-con-sentenced-for-deadly-crash-in-pomona/
• https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/pomona-pursuit-crash-rolando-pinto-vigil/
• https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/driver-murder-arrest-crash-pomona-traffic-stop/2518847/

On 01/31/2021, California Highway Patrol officers were responding to a traffic collision along Interstate 80 near Dixon Avenue. According to authorities, officers observed a vehicle stopped on the shoulder with a damaged rear window and attempted to speak with the driver, identified as Karl Walker. Police reported that during the interaction, Walker produced a firearm and threatened an officer. Officers opened fire and Walker was shot and killed at the scene. The shooting was placed under investigation, and no criminal charges against officers were announced at the time of reporting.

https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/california/chp-shooting-identification/103-cf5ef68f-348d-44d1-97e4-798e8429496e

On 01/29/2021, law enforcement responded to reports of a domestic assault involving a firearm in La Quinta. Authorities reported that Javier Magdaleno left the scene in a vehicle and officers escalated a pursuit. The pursuit ended after the vehicle crashed near Jefferson Street and Avenue 48. Police stated that during the encounter that followed, Magdaleno obtained a rifle. Officers opened fire and shot him. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The shooting was placed under investigation, and no criminal charges against officers were announced at the time of reporting.

https://www.desertsun.com/story/news/crime_courts/2021/01/29/police-activity-jefferson-and-avenue-48-causing-traffic-backup/4315496001/
https://www.desertsun.com/story/news/crime_courts/2021/03/16/riverside-county-sheriffs-department-releases-video-footage-fatal-police-shooting-la-quinta/4722549001/

On 01/27/2021, Los Angeles police officers responded around 10:30 p.m. to reports that a man had assaulted someone with a knife and was assaulting a woman in the Vermont Square area. According to police, officers arrived at the scene and observed a man inside a vehicle engaged in an assault on a woman. During the encounter, officers opened fire and shot Randy Miller. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The shooting was placed under investigation, and no criminal charges against officers were announced at the time of reporting.

https://www.dailynews.com/2021/01/28/la-police-shoot-and-kill-man-armed-with-knife-in-vermont-square-area/

On 01/26/2021, Vacaville police encountered Mark Meza driving a gray Dodge Dakota behind City Hall around 8:35 p.m. Police reported that Meza was driving erratically in the area. An officer attempted a traffic stop, and police chased him through nearby streets. Authorities reported that officers used their vehicles to stop Meza’s truck, forcing it off the roadway. After the vehicle came to a stop, officers opened fire and shot Meza. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Police declined to release details about what immediately preceded the shooting. The district attorney later reviewed the case and ruled the shooting justified. No criminal charges against officers were announced.

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-01-27/vacaville-police-kill-driver-who-struck-patrol-vehicle
https://www.abc10.com/article/news/crime/pursuit-suspect-killed-following-police-shooting-in-vacaville/103-efa47425-7c78-4c2c-803a-047caf382aa2
https://www.ktvu.com/news/vacaville-police-fatally-shoot-man-they-say-drove-recklessly-rammed-patrol-car

On 01/26/2021, Riverside County sheriff’s deputies responded to a reported domestic disturbance at a residence on Steinhoff Avenue in Hemet. Authorities reported that the call involved an armed man and concerns for an estranged partner, with children nearby. According to police, gunfire occurred during the response after deputies arrived at the scene. Deputies opened fire and Steven Emmet Crosby was shot and killed. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The shooting was placed under investigation, and no criminal charges against deputies were announced at the time of reporting.

https://patch.com/california/lakeelsinore-wildomar/domestic-disturbance-suspect-shot-killed-perris-deputy

On 01/22/2021, Indio Police Department officers responded to reports of a man acting erratically near Cardenas Market on Highway 111 in Indio, California. The individual, identified as 41-year-old Jose Albert Lizarraga Garcia, was observed entering and exiting multiple stores, throwing items, and behaving disruptively. Upon contact, Garcia was physically restrained by several officers. During the restraint, Garcia repeatedly stated, "I can't breathe." A mesh spit hood was placed over his head. Shortly thereafter, Garcia became unresponsive and died while prone and restrained, his head inside of a spit hood.

https://kesq.com/news/2021/02/24/new-body-camera-video-shows-indio-police-in-custody-death-near-cardenas-market/
https://kesq.com/news/2021/02/03/i-cant-breathe-new-video-shows-indio-police-struggle-with-man-who-died-in-custody-family-to-file-lawsuit/
https://www.newsweek.com/california-family-sue-died-custody-cant-breathe-video-emerges-1566855
https://patch.com/california/palmdesert/police-body-cam-footage-released-indio-custody-death
https://eldiariony.com/2021/02/12/jose-albert-lizarraga-el-latino-que-murio-gritando-que-no-podia-respirar-mientras-era-arrestado-por-la-policia-de-indio-california/

On 01/21/2021, San Jose police shot and killed David Tovar Jr. at an apartment complex on La Pala Drive. Police said officers were attempting to locate Tovar in connection with a homicide and two other shootings in South Santa Clara County. According to authorities, officers encountered Tovar on a second floor landing while they were positioned in a ground level courtyard. Police reported that Tovar was unarmed and that officers believed he was reaching into his waistband when they opened fire. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The shooting was placed under investigation, and no criminal charges against officers were announced at the time of reporting.

https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/police-investigate-officer-involved-shooting-in-san-jose-3/2449599/

On January 20, 2021, a male driver was killed following a police pursuit in Fontana, California. Fontana Police Department officers attempted to stop a vehicle in connection with an ongoing investigation. The driver did not stop. Police escalated a pursuit through Rialto and Rancho Cucamonga until the vehicle exited the 210 Freeway at Beech Avenue and collided with another vehicle occupied by a man and a woman. The male occupant of the struck vehicle was pronounced dead at the scene, while the female passenger and the pursued driver were hospitalized with injuries.

https://www.sbcounty.gov/uploads/SBCFire/documents/NewsClips/2021/01/20210122.NC.pdf?

On 01/20/2021, Fresno police assisted a state parole agent who requested help locating Frank Gonzales after concerns were raised about a removed ankle monitor. Officers located Gonzales behind a business near Kings Canyon Road and Maple Avenue. According to police, officers approached him and an encounter occurred during which Gonzales was holding a metal object. Officers opened fire and shot Gonzales. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The shooting was placed under investigation, and no criminal charges against officers were announced at the time of reporting.

https://www.yourcentralvalley.com/news/local-news/authorities-id-fresno-sex-offender-parolee-shot-and-killed-by-officer-during-confrontation/

On 01/18/2021, Sacramento County sheriff’s deputies attempted a traffic stop shortly after 10 p.m. Police said the driver did not stop, and deputies escalated a pursuit that continued for nearly fifteen minutes before the vehicle crashed near Hurley Way and Cal Expo Drive outside the Cal Expo grounds. After the crash, deputies attempted to get Robert Stephen Calderon to exit the vehicle. Police said he remained inside and did not comply with commands. Deputies broke a rear window and deployed a police dog into the vehicle. Authorities reported the dog was shot and killed during the encounter, after which deputies opened fire and shot Calderon. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The shooting was placed under investigation, and no charges against deputies were announced at the time of reporting.

https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/sacramento/cal-expo-police-incident-sacramento/103-04aff833-e0aa-4537-8408-cdef1c2db6b3

California Highway Patrol attempted to stop a vehicle for speeding. The driver did not stop, and officers escalated a high-speed pursuit on the 405 Freeway. Near the Roscoe Boulevard exit in North Hills, the vehicle crashed and caught fire. The driver died at the scene. A CHP officer was injured and transported to the hospital.

https://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2021/01/15/chp-pursuit-ends-in-fatal-fiery-crash-on-405-freeway-in-north-hills/
https://www.dailynews.com/2021/01/15/1-killed-in-crash-during-chp-pursuit-in-north-hills/
https://abc7.com/pursuit-crash-fiery-collision-roscoe-blvd/9695357/

On 01/15/2021 at approximately 8:15 p.m., Sacramento County sheriff’s deputies responded to a report of gunfire near Ranger Way and Rampart Drive in Carmichael. Upon arrival, deputies found a sheriff’s officer suffering from a gunshot wound. They also found Kershawn Geiger, who had been shot and was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities reported that gunfire occurred during an encounter between an officer and Geiger. The injured officer was transported for medical treatment. The shooting was placed under investigation, and no charges against the officer were announced at the time of reporting.

https://sacramento.cbslocal.com/2021/01/16/suspects-outstanding-carmichael-officer-shooting/
https://www.kcra.com/article/sacramento-county-sheriff-deputy-shot-carmichael/35235045

On January 14, 2021, a man was killed in a fiery crash on the 405 Freeway near Roscoe Boulevard in Van Nuys during a police chase. The California Highway Patrol attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver did not stop. The pursuit ended when the car crashed and caught fire. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene.

https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/high-speed-chase-ends-with-fiery-fatal-wreck-on-405-freeway-in-van-nuys/

On 01/13/2021, Visalia police officers responded to reports of a robbery at a bank. A patrol officer later located a vehicle believed by police to be connected to the incident and initiated a traffic stop near South Court Street and West Beech Avenue. Police stated that Joshua Van Machado exited the vehicle during the stop. According to police accounts, officers believed he was holding a handgun. Officers reported that commands were given for him to drop the weapon. Police said officers then opened fire, shooting and killing Van Machado. The shooting was placed under investigation, and no charges against officers were announced at the time of reporting.

https://abc30.com/ois-officer-invovled-shooting-visalia-bank-robbery-shot/9628096/
https://www.visaliatimesdelta.com/story/news/2021/01/13/visalia-police-officer-involved-shooting-bank-robbery-investigation/4145454001/

On 01/13/2021, Kern County sheriff’s deputies responded to a report of a domestic violence assault. Deputies reported a man left in a vehicle before deputies arrived and deputies later located the vehicle. Deputies reported the man did not follow directions during contact and deputies chased him on foot. Deputies reported they heard a gunshot, found the man with a self-inflicted gunshot wound, and he died at the scene. The sheriff’s office later identified him as Diante Nettles, 43.

https://bakersfieldnow.com/news/local/suspect-dies-from-self-inflicted-gunshot-wound-after-running-away-from-officers
https://www.bashamfuneralcare.com/obituaries/Diante-Nettles?obId=42026552
https://fatalencounters.org/people/diante-nettles/