A Southern California manhunt turned into a high-speed chase Monday after San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Deputy Andrew Nunez, 28, was shot and killed while responding to a domestic violence call in Rancho Cucamonga. The suspected gunman fled on a motorcycle, reaching speeds over 150 mph before an off-duty deputy intentionally struck him during a dramatic freeway intervention caught on camera.
The Shooting
Authorities say the encounter began around 12:40 p.m. when deputies responded to the 12300 block of Hollyhock Drive following reports of a man threatening a woman with a gun. Shortly after arriving, Deputy Nunez, a six-year veteran of the department, was shot in the head. He was airlifted to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead. Nunez was a husband and father of a 2-year-old daughter, with another child on the way.
“This department is embedded in sorrow,” said San Bernardino County Sheriff Shannon D. Dicus, who called the loss “devastating.” Dicus noted the shooting was the 81st involving department deputies since he became sheriff in 2022, describing it as reflective of “a tremendous amount of violence out there.”
Crash Stacks Kia on Top of Ford Mustang
A High-Speed Pursuit Across the County
Following the shooting, the suspect fled on a motorcycle, leading a multi-agency pursuit across San Bernardino County and onto the 210 Freeway. At one point during the chase, the rider narrowly avoided colliding with a California Highway Patrol motorcycle officer.
Pursuit Ends in Upland
The chase ended around 1:35 p.m. in Upland, when an off-duty deputy driving an unmarked Toyota Camry intentionally struck the fleeing motorcyclist. News helicopter footage showed the suspect flipping over his handlebars before hitting the pavement. Sheriff Dicus described the maneuver as a “legal intervention” intended to prevent further danger to the public.
Suspect’s Condition and Expected Charges
The suspect was airlifted to a hospital in stable condition. Officials said he is expected to face murder charges once he is released from medical care, though formal charges had not yet been filed at the time of reporting.
State Response and Ongoing Investigation
California Governor Gavin Newsom ordered flags at the State Capitol lowered to half-staff in honor of Deputy Nunez. “His courage, compassion, and dedication to protecting others reflect the finest traditions of law enforcement,” Newsom said in a statement. The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Specialized Collision Reconstruction Team and the District Attorney’s Office are continuing to investigate the incident.