Fullerton police officers fatally shot a 19-year-old after the man brandished a pellet gun during a response to a distress call. As seen on air on the NBC4 News at March 16, 2025.
A police officer in Fullerton fatally shot a man who brandished a pellet gun at law enforcement Saturday night, the department said.
Officers were alerted of an armed man threatening a family member and responded to the 700 block of W. Orangethorpe Avenue, according to the Fullerton Police Department. There, officers learned a 19-year-old man swung a knife at his stepfather.
At the scene, officers gave a man who matched the description of the suspect commands to comply. The individual refused to cooperate with law enforcement and at some point, lifted his shirt and “removed what appeared to be a handgun from his waistband,” according to police. In response, an officer shot the man.
Following the shooting, officers performed life-saving measures on the man until paramedics arrived. The man, who his family identified as Pedro Garcia, ultimately died at the scene.
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Garcia's mother, Gabriela Ordonez Campos, said the family had already taken the knife away from Garcia and warned police that he was unarmed.
"They did not hear me. How is it that the police did not hear me even when I was 10 feet away I told them in both English and Spanish and they did not care. They shot him," said Campos.
A pellet gun was found at the scene near the suspect. The name of the officer who shot him was not announced.
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The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information on the case is asked to contact Fullerton Detective N. Valdes at 714-738-6754. Anonymous tips can be made by contacting Orange County Crime Stoppers at 855-TIP-OCCS.
