On Friday, May 10, 2024, at 11:40 a.m., Ceres Police Department officers responded to a call on the 3400 block of Dirk Court about a family argument involving 22-year-old Alexander Yepez Ortega, who was brandishing a knife. Dispatch confirmed Ortega had an outstanding warrant for multiple charges, including assault with a deadly weapon and domestic violence, related to an incident with the Modesto Police Department.
Upon arrival, Ortega fled through residential yards. With the help of a Modesto Police K9 officer, Sergeant Blount and Officer Chrim began searching for Ortega and found him hiding inside a vehicle on the property. Ortega exited the car and started swinging a knife at Officer Chrim, prompting an officer-involved shooting. Officers immediately rendered medical aid, but Ortega was pronounced dead at the scene by medical personnel. Officer Chrim sustained non-life-threatening injuries. No other officers or residents were injured.
Ceres Police Department Press Release Re: Alexander Yepez-Ortega Shooting
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On 5/10/24, Ceres Police responded to a disturbance involving 22-year-old Suspect Alexander Yepez-Ortega, who was armed with a knife and threatening a family member.
The suspect fled from the location as police officers arrived on the scene.
Yepez-Ortega was later located hiding in a vehicle and confronted officers with the knife, at which point an officer-involved shooting occurred.