Crime & Safety
San Jose Officers Cleared In Fatal Shooting Of Armed Man
The Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office announced that a group of San Jose police officers lawfully shot and killed an armed man.
SAN JOSE, CA — The Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office announced that a group of San Jose police officers lawfully shot and killed an armed man.
On Sept. 8,. 2024, Roberto Rivera Jr., 50, reportedly entered a taqueria on Senter Road that night and fired several rounds into the ceiling, telling patrons, "Everyone here is about to get U-Visas," officers said.
He also allegedly shot a man in the neck before confronting police outside, the Santa Clara PD said.
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After pleading with Rivera Jr. for 20 seconds to surrender, officers Cesar Fernandez, Jessie Gifford, Juan-Carlos Jerez, and Brett Vranich opened fire when he allegedly aimed his gun at police, a press release issued Friday noted.
Prosecutor Rob Baker concluded in a public report that Rivera Jr.'s refusal to drop his gun and his deliberate motion of pointing it at officers left them with "no other choice but to employ lethal force in defense of their fellow officers."
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Rivera Jr. was killed, and a police K9 was reportedly used to pull him away from his weapon, police said.
The Medical Examiner confirmed that police gunfire, not the K9's actions, caused his death.
A toxicology report showed that Rivera Jr. had methamphetamine in his system and a blood alcohol level of .18%, more than twice the legal limit. He was also reportedly suicidal.
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