Deputies received a 911 call that reported an intruder was terrorizing people at a home. A Hispanic man had gone to a home looking for a person who had since left. The man became angry and threatened the people inside the home and tried to find a way inside. He reportedly got into a semi truck and began ramming cars in a carport, as well as crashing into the home and garage. He was able to get into the home due to the damage he had created. Deputies found the suspect back outside in his vehicle upon arrival. He allegedly drove semi-truck into the deputy's patrol car, and was preparing to hit him again, when the deputy shot and killed him.
Agency: Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office
Motive: Home intrusion, vehicular assault, aggravated assault
Confrontation Type: Violent Crime
Service Call: Yes
Body Camera: No
Official Disposition: Pending investigation
Victim Name: John Moreno
Death Date: December 25, 2020
County: Santa Cruz
Geography: Suburban
Gender: Male
Age: Unknown
Race: Hispanic
Cause of Death: Gunshot
Criminal Charges: No known charges
Mental Illness: No
Armed: Vehicle
Weapon: vehicle
Threat Level: attack
Fleeing: Car
Washington Post Database ID: 6455