Pedro Villanueva, 19

Fullerton, California
July 04, 2016

Agencies: California Highway Patrol

Cause of death: Shooting


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Last updated: almost 6 years ago

Overview

19 year-old Pedro Villanueva was killed and another person wounded after an officer-involved shooting took place in Fullerton.

The incident happened shortly before 11 p.m. Sunday in the 100 block of North Pritchard Avenue, near the Fullerton Municipal Airport. Investigators said it started as an undercover California Highway Patrol task force operation in Los Angeles County.

At some point, the officers followed a truck containing the suspects and eventually made it into a residential area in Fullerton.

The officers attempted a traffic stop, but the suspects did not stop. Authorities said the driver turned the truck around and drove toward the officers. The officers feared for their safety and opened fire, killing the 19-year-old driver.

The passenger was shot in the arm, taken to a nearby hospital for an evaluation and then taken into custody after his release. The man, 18, was then released pending a further investigation, police said.

Legal Action

On July 19, 2016, the family of Villanueva filed a claim against the California Highway Patrol. Submitting the claim is a legal requirement before a lawsuit can be filed against a public agency.