Officers were responding to a hit-and-run. A witness to the crash followed the Lexus and gave updates to dispatchers on its location. When an officer found the vehicle, he attempted to pull over the driver, who led him on a high-speed pursuit. When the Lexus stopped, Mendez, armed with a handgun, got out. Ceres Officer Ross Bays shot and killed Mendez.
Victim's Name: Spencer Carmen Mendez
Agency Responsible: Ceres Police Department
Gender: Male
Age: 15
Race: Hispanic
Date of Death: August 18, 2018
County: Stanislaus
Cause of Death: Gunshot
Official Disposition: Pending investigation/No Known Charges
Criminal Charges: No known charges
Mental Illness: No
Armed: Allegedly Armed
Weapon: gun
Threat Level: other
Fleeing: Other
Body Camera: No
Washington Post Database ID: 3977
Geography: Rural