Hector Chairez, 40

Big Sur, California
March 20, 2014

Agencies: Monterey County Sheriff's Department - California

Cause of death: Shooting


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Last updated: almost 6 years ago

Overview

A man was shot and killed by a Monterey County Sheriff’s Deputy this afternoon just north of Big Sur.

According to Undersheriff Max Houser, just after 4pm, deputies were looking for a pickup truck that had been spotted just off Highway 1 on Palo Colorado Canyon Road. It had been connected to some recent local felonies, Houser says.

Deputies attempted to stop the truck, which contained a man and a woman, but the driver refused to stop and kept driving. After about half a mile, the driver turned the truck around tried to drive back out toward Highway 1; the truck rammed deputy’s car.

When asked if Chairez was armed when deputies killed him, McGuirk declined to comment. Selma is a town east of Big Sur just outside of Fresno.

Houser says the series of events leading to the shooting are unclear. The man and the woman, one of whom was armed, tried to run.  At least two deputies shot at the man and woman, killing the man; Houser says he isn't sure if the suspects fired first.

Legal Action

October 2014 Officers acted in self defence