Officer Involved Shooting Under Review in Soledad
SOLEDAD, CA — A Monterey County Sheriff’s deputy discharged a service weapon during an early morning incident in Soledad on December 16, 2025, resulting in a suspect being struck and injured.
The Sheriff’s Office reported that deputies were initially dispatched to the 32000 block of McCoy Road following a call regarding a suspicious vehicle operating in a residential area. The vehicle was reportedly playing loud music, and deputies were advised that the driver might be armed.
Upon arrival, the first responding deputy located the vehicle and engaged with a subject reportedly armed with a rifle. During the encounter, the deputy fired their weapon, striking the individual. Immediate first aid was administered at the scene before the suspect was transported to a nearby hospital for medical treatment. The deputy involved in the incident sustained no physical injuries.
Monterey County Sheriff Tina Nieto acknowledged the seriousness of the use of force, stating, “Any time force is used, it is a serious matter. Our focus remains on the safety of the community, the individuals involved, and our deputies.”
The incident is currently under independent review by the District Attorney’s Office. The Sheriff’s Office has stated its commitment to full cooperation with the investigation. The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Unit and Internal Affairs investigators also responded to the location to assist with documenting the event.
Video evidence related to the encounter has been secured and provided to the District Attorney’s Office for review as part of the ongoing investigation.
