Jose Manuel Zamudio dies in fatal Monterey County shooting
Fatal Monterey County shooting death of Jose Manuel Zamudio – Obituary
Authorities have confirmed that Jose Manuel Zamudio was fatally shot by Monterey County Sheriff’s deputies on January 29 in an agricultural field off Highway 183, located between Salinas and Castroville. The incident remains under investigation by the California Department of Justice.
Salinas police reported that Zamudio was wanted in connection with an attempted murder earlier that day at Banker’s Casino. According to police spokesman Zach Dunagan, Zamudio allegedly attempted to run over a casino employee in the parking lot around 10 a.m. By the time officers arrived, he had already fled the scene, last spotted on West Market Street.
Casino employees stated that Zamudio was a monthly visitor. Roughly three hours after the attempted incident, California Highway Patrol officers spotted him on Highway 183. A high-risk stop ensued, and sheriff’s deputies confronted him in the agricultural field.
According to Sheriff’s Office spokesman Andy Rosas, Zamudio approached the officers before they opened fire, though the exact reasons remain unclear. Reports indicate that he was in possession of a screwdriver at the time, which the Department of Justice does not classify as a deadly weapon. The agency is now reviewing whether the deputies’ actions were justified.
The sheriff’s office has not released further details regarding the use of non-lethal options or the number of deputies who fired their weapons.
