Fontana Police Incident Results in Fatality After Confrontation with Armed Suspect
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“On September 24, 2024, at approximately 1417 hours, Jesus Adrian Garcia, age 44. Garcia is a convicted felon with a lengthy criminal history including multiple arrests for violent offenses and other crimes including: assault with a deadly weapon, possession of dangerous weapons, criminal threats, vehicle theft, theft, home invasion robbery, parole violation, trespassing, warrants, possession of narcotic paraphernalia, unlawful possession of a leaded cane/Billy club weapon, possession of illegal narcotics, domestic violence, brandishing a replica firearm, and battery. In 2021, Fontana Police officers arrested Garcia for using a deadly weapon to commit Robbery. During this incident, Garcia assaulted a man with a crowbar and stole personal property from him.
Garcia entered a local Fontana business and was carrying an approximate 3 foot metal pipe in his hands. Garcia assaulted an employee with the metal pipe then proceeded to vandalize property inside of the business. The employees at the business reported the incident via 9-1-1 and police were dispatched to the scene at 1419 hours.
As a Fontana Police Officer arrived at the location, he located and contacted Garcia in the immediate vicinity. Garcia, still armed with a metal pipe, refused all commands. The officer attempted to de-escalate the situation and Garcia walked away from the officer, still armed with the metal pipe. The officer followed Garcia in his marked patrol vehicle and contacted Garcia again. Garcia charged the officer with the metal pipe, struck the police unit, and then attacked the officer with the pipe. An officer involved shooting occurred and Garcia fell to the ground. The officer was struck by the pipe.
Shortly after the lethal force encounter, a secondary officer arrived on scene and attempted to take Garcia into custody and a use of force occurred. Officers were able to take Garcia into custody and immediately began life saving measures and provided medical aid until paramedics arrived on scene. Garcia was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased.
The Fontana Police Department is aware of multiple social media videos depicting the shooting and the subsequent use of force by the secondary officer. Chief Michael Dorsey said, “I am aware of the video depicting the use of force and arrest of Mr. Garcia. Both officers involved in this incident have been placed on administrative leave and multiple investigations are currently in progress. I am committed to a full and transparent investigation of this entire incident.”
The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the lethal force encounter. The San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Bureau of Investigation is investigating the use of force encounter involving the secondary officer. The Fontana Police Department is also conducting separate administrative investigations involving the incident and is cooperating fully with the other investigating agencies. At the conclusion of the investigations, the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office will review the incident.”
