Man sentenced for attempting to kill fireman in South Monterey County

Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni announced on Monday, April 29 that on Friday, April 26 Judge Pamela Butler sentenced 26-year-old Jacob Thomas Kirkendall of Santa Cruz to 14 years of felony probation with the first year of which he'll serve in a locked mental health facility for attempting to shoot and kill a fireman in December of 2017 in South Monterey County. Kirkendall’s status in the locked facility will remain subject to periodic review by Judge Butler with input from the medical professionals at the facility and Monterey County Probation.

On the evening of December 11 of 2017, Kirkendall recklessly drove his red truck around Peter Harris on Nacimiento-Ferguson Road. Harris was driving home in his U.S. Department of Forestry Ford Explorer. As a Division Fire Chief, he had just completed his shift working the Ventana fire near Big Sur.

Immediately after driving past him, Kirkendall parked his truck diagonally across the road, blocking the entire roadway. This left Harris no room to drive around Kirkendall’s truck. Kirkendall quickly exited his truck and retrieved a shotgun. Harris started to make a three-point turn when Kirkendall aimed at him and fired. Several pellets from the buckshot hit Harris in the back of his head, neck, shoulder, and back and lodged under his skin. Despite this, Harris managed to turn his Explorer around, drive in the opposite direction, and warn oncoming vehicles about Kirkendall.

Kirkendall led Monterey County Sheriff’s deputies, and California Highway Patrol officers on a high-speed chase that ended on Fort Hunter-Liggett.

On February 13, 2019, Kirkendall pled guilty to two strikes: (1) assault with a firearm, with a personal use of a firearm enhancement - a violent strike; and (2) assault with a deadly weapon. If Kirkendall violates the terms and conditions of his probation, he could be sentenced to state prison for a term of up to 14 years and eight months. Kirkendall also pled guilty to delaying or obstructing a police officer.

In 2009, when Kirkendall was 17 years old, he survived electrocution by fallen, live power lines at Rio del Mar Beach in Santa Cruz County. He tried to put out an electrical fire by throwing water on the flames, but inadvertently electrocuted himself. He spent nearly 100 days in a coma and suffered brain damage. Additionally, he suffers from a diagnosed mental illness.

Comments

Monterey County DA Releases Preliminary Information Concerning an Officer Involved Shooting Incident that Occurred Outside of Soledad on December 16

SALINAS, California- Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni on December 19 released preliminary information concerning the officer involved shooting (OIS) which occurred at about 1:20 a.m. outside the city of Soledad on December 16, 2025. Just before 1:00 a.m., Monterey County Sheriff’s Deputy Carlos Pina, who has been a peace officer for 10 years all with MCSO, and Deputy Blain Councilman, each in separate patrol cars, were dispatched to 32097 McCoy Road. A resident at the farm labor camp reported a suspicious individual with a handgun whose white Honda 4 door sedan was parked in space 18 at the complex. Before parking there, the suspect drove around and around, stopped in front of the reporting party’s (RP’s) truck, and got out. The RP could hear music. Deputy Pina drove the lead patrol car and arrived just after 1:20 a.m. His dashcam video, which does not record sound but which he installed on his own and at his own expense, depicts the following: He drove down ...

King City City Council Announces Selection of José Arreola as New City Manager

January 7, 2025-Following an extensive recruitment process, José Arreola has been selected by the King City City Council to be its next City Manager. Arreola will replace Steve Adams, who is retiring after serving in the position for the past 10 years. Arreola was selected from 31 applicants and 8 finalists for the position. The King City City Council will formally consider the proposed city manager contract at its meeting on Tuesday night, January 13. Arreola's first day on the job is scheduled to be February 23. José Arreola has a distinguished career of serving the community with a particular commitment to youth. He has worked for the City of Salinas for 12 years as their Community Safety Program Manager, Community Safety Administrator and Assistant to the City Manager. Among other responsibilities, Arreola has led several programs to eliminate gang violence which aligns well with the City of King’s efforts and priorities. Prior to that, Arreola worked as an Educa...

King City CHP is searching for person of interest who fled the scene of a fatal crash in Greenfield

On Monday, September 16 at approximately 3:50 pm, a fatal traffic collision occurred on Metz Road south of Elm Avenue in Greenfield. The driver who caused the collision fled on foot and is currently outstanding. The California Highway Patrol King City Area is currently seeking the whereabouts of 31-year-old Agustin Santana-Moncada of King City who has been identified as a person of interest in the case. The King City Area is requesting assistance from the public in locating Santana-Moncada. Anyone with information is asked to contact the King City Area office at (831) 385-3216.

KRKC COUNTRY

Search This Blog