Full Notification

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
September 6, 2013
Release # 09 01 13

Officer Involved Shooting Update
SUNNYVALE, Calif. – On September 4th, shortly after 2 p.m., members of the Santa Clara Police Department and the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office were involved in an undercover drug operation in the parking lot of a local restaurant, located on W. Ahwanee in Sunnyvale. During the course of the operation, the suspect in the drug investigation was shot by police and later died at a local hospital.

The Santa Clara County Coroner’s Office has identified the suspect as Juan Ruelas, a 34 year-old Sunnyvale resident. Ruelas was the focus of a drug investigation conducted by the Santa Clara Police Department’s Specialized Crimes Action Team (SCAT). Members of a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Task Force assisted in the investigation and operation.

As part of an on-going covert investigation, undercover officers purchased methamphetamine from Ruelas on multiple occasions over the past month. For the operation on September 4th, officers purchased a pound of methamphetamine from Ruelas. After the pound of methamphetamine was received from Ruelas, Ruelas verbally threatened the officer and stated that he had a gun. Ruelas then made a movement that led the officer to believe he was reaching for a gun. Reacting to the threat, Ruelas was shot several times. A total of six officers discharged their firearms during the incident. No officers or bystanders were injured during the incident. During a subsequent search of Ruelas and his truck, no firearm was located.

The officers immediately provided medical aid. Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety (DPS) officers and County Paramedics arrived on scene and continued to provide medical aid. Ruelas was transported to the hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

The Sunnyvale DPS Investigations Unit is leading the investigation of this case pursuant to county protocol. The case is still being actively investigated and upon conclusion, Sunnyvale DPS will forward the case to the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office for review.

The names of the officers are being withheld due to the nature of their undercover assignments. The officers involved and their years of service are as follows:

Santa Clara Police Detective Sergeant – 15 years
Santa Clara Police Detective – 7 years
Santa Clara Police Detective – 6 years
Santa Clara Police Detective – 6 years
Santa Clara Police Detective – 5 years
Santa Clara County Sheriff Detective - 6 years

Contact:
Captain Dave Pitts
(408) 203-9467