Body camera footage was released on Friday of a knife-wielding suspect being shot and killed by police officers in Ceres. The suspect in question, Alexander Yepez Ortega, a 22-year-old male, attacked an officer during a reported argument at an address on Dirk Court on May 10, according to the Ceres Police Department.
Yepez Ortega fled the scene upon the officers’ arrival but was taken into custody approximately thirty minutes later when he was found in a vehicle on 6th Street. During the arrest, Yepez Ortega brandished the knife and waved it at the officers. Despite repeated requests to exit the vehicle, Yepez Ortega continued to remain inside—a moment captured in the footage released on Friday.
Officers had their guns drawn while they waited for Yepez Ortega to exit the vehicle. After an officer opened the driver’s side door, Yepez Ortega exited from the passenger side and swung the knife at the officers, injuring one. The injured officer was later taken to the hospital for treatment.
“I think I got stabbed in my arm,” the injured officer can be heard saying in the video.
Yepez Ortega was then shot multiple times by the officers and died at the scene. It was later discovered that Yepez Ortega had a warrant out for his arrest for assault with a deadly weapon and domestic violence in Modesto. He was also known for other criminal activity such as vehicle theft, DUI, violating a criminal protective order, and leading the police on a chase.
The body camera footage released on Friday shows the events as they unfolded, confirming the officers acted appropriately, especially given the hostile behavior from Yepez Ortega.