A Guadalupe man died after being shot by a police officer on Aug. 21, when a gunshot intended for a wanted suspect struck him instead, according to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office.
At about 9:40 p.m., Guadalupe police officers recognized a wanted subject with an outstanding no-bail felony arrest warrant at the intersection of Birch and Obispo streets in Guadalupe, according to the Sheriff’s Office, which is assisting with the investigation of the shooting.
“At this early stage of the investigation, the details that are available for release are that an officer fired his service weapon at the wanted suspect, but instead struck an uninvolved resident who was sitting in a vehicle in the 100-block of Obispo Street,” according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Juan Luis Olvera-Preciado, the victim, was 59 years old. He was pronounced dead just after 10:10 p.m. The suspect that the gunshot was intended for was arrested uninjured at the scene, and the officers were also not injured. Neither the name of the apprehended suspect nor the involved officer is being released.
“Sheriff’s Office detectives and forensics technicians responded to the scene at the request of Guadalupe Police Chief Michael Cash to conduct the investigation into the incident,” Sheriff’s Office officials said in a statement. “Detectives quickly realized that this incident met the criteria of AB 1506, which requires the Attorney General’s Office to investigate incidents of officer-involved shootings that result in the death of an unarmed civilian.”
California Department of Justice investigators will conduct the criminal investigation with assistance from the Sheriff’s Office. The Santa Maria Police Department will conduct the administrative investigation, per the request of Guadalupe Police Chief Cash.
A GoFundMe organized by Olvera-Preciado’s family members had raised more than $3,800 as of Aug. 25.
“On behalf of the Family Olvera with heavy heart and in disbelief and severely hurting are trying to put Juan Luis Olvera Preciado to rest,” the GoFundMe organizers wrote. “We are honoring his wishes for the funeral he would like. We ask for [your] help in honoring his wishes.”
When asked for a statement on the events that transpired, Guadalupe Mayor Ariston Julian could not give additional comment and said all information regarding the incident will be from a joint law enforcement briefing.
This article appears in Aug 26 – Sep 2, 2021.