-Editorial
The City of El Centro released a detailed Critical Incident Community Briefing outlining the events surrounding the Oct. 5, 2025, officer-involved shooting that resulted in the death of a juvenile driver. The video, made public in accordance with Assembly Bill 748, includes body-worn camera footage, still images, and a narrated overview of the facts known at this point in the investigation. Officials cautioned that the material may be disturbing and viewer discretion is advised.
Acting Deputy Police Chief Renee McNish said the incident began at about 6:30 p.m. when an automated license plate reader detected a stolen Hyundai Elantra traveling through the city. Patrol officers coordinated a search and located the vehicle in the rear parking lot of a restaurant in the 400 block of East Main Street. In-car camera footage shows officers setting up a perimeter around the lot as they prepared to approach the vehicle.
As two marked police units moved toward the front of the restaurant, two subjects fled on foot. Officers then positioned their vehicles in the driveway with red and blue emergency lights activated, blocking the only entrance and exit. According to McNish, the driver of the stolen vehicle accelerated directly toward the officers, placing two of them in immediate danger. Police opened fire as the vehicle advanced.
Body-worn camera video released in the briefing captures officers shouting, “Leave the car here,” and warning one another to watch out moments before the shooting. Still images included in the presentation show an officer standing in the direct path of the oncoming vehicle. Another image shows two patrol cars blocking the driveway in an attempt to contain the stolen vehicle.
An animated sequence in the briefing illustrates the movement of the suspect vehicle from behind the restaurant, where it was parked, to the driveway where officers were positioned. According to the narration, the vehicle turned a corner and quickly accelerated toward the officers, triggering the use of deadly force.
McNish said officers and El Centro Fire Department paramedics provided medical aid immediately after the shooting, but the driver was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver was later identified as a juvenile from Brawley. Two juvenile passengers were detained and questioned but were not charged. Two additional juveniles connected to the incident were later located and interviewed and also were not charged.
El Centro Police Chief Kelly Brown said the shooting is under three separate and independent investigations. The El Centro Police Department is determining whether any crimes were committed during the encounter. The Imperial County District Attorney’s Office is conducting a criminal investigation into whether the officers’ actions complied with state law. After the district attorney’s review is complete, the Police Department will launch an internal investigation to evaluate whether officers followed departmental policies and procedures.
Brown urged the public to allow the investigative process to play out. “We ask for patience as the investigations proceed, and for our community to come together during this time,” he said.
