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Monterey County District Attorney Announces Details from June 3 Officer Involved Shooting

 

SALINAS, California - Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni announced on June 4 additional

preliminary facts surrounding the officer involved shooting which occurredon June 3 on Highway 101

northbound in the vicinity of Soledad.

At about 5:30 pm on June 3, a person armed with a handgun got out of a black Mazda and robbed 3

pedestrians walking on Lonoak Road within the city limits of King City. The robber demanded the victims’ phones

and wallets which they surrendered, and he got back in the Mazda. After walking home about 20 minutes after the

robbery, the victims called police, described the Mazda, reported it was last seen headed towards Highway 101,

and provided the license plate number.

At 7:15 pm a Greenfield officer located the Mazda travelling northbound on Highway 101 near Greenfield. Other

units from Greenfield and King City PD joined the pursuit with lights and sirens. The Mazda failed to stop as it

travelled between 50 and 72 mph. Near Soledad, the Mazda turned on the right turn signal, moved to the shoulder,

and slowed down. Before the Mazda came to a complete stop, 36-year-old Armando Garcia Rodriguez, emerged

from the front passenger side and immediately began firing a handgun in the direction of the lead KCPD patrol

car immediately behind the Mazda. He fired 4 rounds. Two officers returned fire. All shots were fired within 5

seconds. Rodriguez turned to run northbound away from patrol cars and fell. He was struck once by gunfire. No

other persons were injured. The report of shots fired occurred at 7:24 pm.

The driver of the Mazda was a female who reported that she had no idea Rodriguez was going to commit a

robbery, and after he did so, he then threatened her with the firearm. He directed her not to stop and said he would

shoot her and would shoot police. She was questioned by KCPD and CHP and thereafter released.

Rodriguez was taken to Natividad Medical Center and underwent surgery at 9:00 pm on June 3. He is currently at

the hospital. Recovered at the scene was the firearm he used, a .40 caliber semi-automatic ghost handgun.

Two officers fired shots, both from KCPD. One had been a peace officer for about 17 years and the other 3

months. Their names will be released after interviews conducted by the District Attorney’s Office scheduled on June 5.

The District Attorney’s Office is currently reviewing video of the incident. At this point the office expects to file

robbery and attempted murder of peace officer charges against Rodriguez, although no date is set for filing or

arraignment. The timing of charges will depend on Rodriguez’ condition and release from the hospital.

Because of the pending case against Rodriguez, the District Attorney will not provide further comment about the

incident. As with all officer involved shootings, the District Attorney will review the use of force by

officers to determine whether any officer committed a crime and always makes the reports and findings public.

When there is a pending court case (in this case charging Rodriguez), reports become available to the public after

conclusion of court proceedings. 

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