Monterey, California - Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni announced the
following preliminary information concerning an officer involved shooting in King City.
On Monday night, December 19 at 6:53 pm Joshua Varao of King City called 9-1-1 stating that his brother Brandon Varao had stabbed him multiple times and was being restrained by their father.
King City Police Officer Janelle Sanchez responded to the scene, was the first officer to arrive, and did so within 3 minutes.
Officer Sanchez exited her car with a medical bag, apparently to render aid. However, she
encountered a person (later identified as Brandon Varao) who stepped off the curb in front of a
white truck with his hands up. She instructed him to come out with his hands up and then turned
around and placed her medical bag on the hood of her patrol car. When she turned back around,
Varao had ignored her command because he no longer had his hands up and moved backward
mostly out of the car video frame. Another car drove onto the scene and the right front passenger
began to get out. Simultaneously Officer Sanchez approached Varao who now was immediately
adjacent to the just arrived car. Varao suddenly rushed toward Officer Sanchez with a knife in his
right hand, taking about 6 running steps and covering a distance from somewhere in front of the
truck to about the middle of the cab. She fired many shots at Varao while she retreated backward,
away from him. He continued to chase her regardless of gunfire and rounds striking him.
Eventually, apparently because he was shot, he stopped advancing. He then raised his left hand and
appeared to make an obscene gesture. Then he dropped the knife and fell backward.
Brandon Varao was pronounced dead at the scene. Approximately 4 rounds struck the
deceased, pending results of his autopsy.
Officer Sanchez has been a sworn officer with the King City Police Department for one year and 10
months. She was the first officer on the scene and the first to discharge her firearm.
Officer Daniel Maldonado also arrived on the scene within seconds of Officer Sanchez. He has been a
sworn Officer with the King City Police Department for 11 months.
Sergeant Anthony Shaw was on the scene as well. He has been a sworn Police Officer for 15 years and
7 months.
All 3 fired their weapons. A total of 18 casings were recovered at the scene.
Joshua Varao was treated for his injuries and released from Natividad Medical Center in Salinas.
The Monterey County DA’s Office will continue to investigate and review this shooting. All completed
OIS reviews are available on the District Attorney’s website.
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