Monterey County District Attorney Press Release Re: CHP Officer Felix Prieto Fatally Shooting James Comb
DISTRICT ATTORNEY RELEASES THE VIDEO AND THE NAME OF THE CHP OFFICER FROM THE OFFICER-INVOLVED SHOOTING ON SATURDAY, MARCH 15, 2025
Post Date:03/20/2025 3:51 PM
Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni has today released patrol vehicle video footage related to the officer-involved shooting that occurred on Saturday, March 15, 2025, on the US-101 northbound.
The officer involved in the shooting has been identified as California Highway Patrol (CHP) Officer Felix Prieto. CHP was dispatched to a reported solo vehicle collision into a guardrail on US-101 northbound at Ralph Lane at approximately 6:55 p.m. on March 15. Officer Prieto arrived at the scene at approximately 7:07 p.m.
Upon arriving on scene, the patrol vehicle video shows that Officer Prieto walked up to the vehicle collision and attempted to make contact with James Frederick Combs, a 42-year-old male from Salinas. Officer Prieto asked Combs “Hey man, are you OK?”, “You OK, man?”, and “You OK?” as he approached the vehicle.
Combs then began to advance toward Officer Prieto, holding a knife. Despite Officer Prieto’s repeated commands to put the knife away — seven times in total — Combs continued moving toward the officer, who was walking backwards along the US-101. While retreating, Officer Prieto also called dispatch twice to request backup. Combs did not stop advancing.
At this point, Combs and Officer Prieto moved out of view of the camera, and several seconds later, Officer Prieto fired two shots at Combs at 7:08 p.m. Officer Prieto immediately informed dispatch that shots were fired.
The District Attorney’s Office’s investigation remains ongoing. If anyone has any information related to this incident, they are encouraged to contact the District Attorney’s Bureau of Investigation at 831-755-5070.
Upon request, the patrol vehicle video will be provided to credentialed media, in person only, at the District Attorney’s Office. Please contact Nichole Reed at 831-755-5470 to make arrangements.