Santa Clara County sheriff’s office shot and killed a suspect during a raid on a marijuana farm on July 21, only to find that the man was armed only with a pellet gun.
Following the shooting, all exploratory missions to find other illegal marijuana growing operations have been put on hold, pending a review by the department.
Three deputies shot and killed Jose Penaloza-Soto while searching a deeply wooded area located on a cattle ranch. The official report indicates that the deputies shouted orders for Penaloza-Soto to drop his weapon in both English and Spanish, but he failed to comply. Instead, he aimed the weapon, which appeared to be a hunting rifle, at the officers and was shot.
As officers advanced on the wounded man, he again attempted to reach for his weapon and was shot dead. Cops found 18,000 illegal marijuana plants growing nearby.
