FRESNO, Calif. (FOX26) — The family of a Fresno man shot and killed by a state parole officer on Christmas Eve in 2024 has filed a civil lawsuit against the state of California, alleging the deadly encounter should never have happened.
The lawsuit, filed Tuesday, says 35-year-old Jeremy Raul Sanchez was unarmed when he was shot three times, including once in the back, outside his family’s home on Dec. 24, 2024.
According to the complaint, Sanchez had just arrived at his family’s Fresno home to celebrate Christmas Eve when his state parole officer showed up unannounced.
The lawsuit alleges the officer did not explain why he was there.
Family members were inside the home at the time, expecting Sanchez to join them, according to the family’s attorney, Stuart Chandler.
Chandler says the encounter quickly escalated.
The lawsuit alleges the parole officer used pepper spray, causing Sanchez to cover his face and walk away, across the front lawn.
As Sanchez walked away, the complaint alleges the officer opened fire.
Sanchez was shot three times and collapsed in the driveway.
One thing that is not part of the protocol is to shoot an unarmed person as they are running away.
Chandler said during a press conference held Tuesday outside the state’s parole office in Fresno.
The lawsuit says Sanchez died at the scene despite life-saving efforts by his mom, who is a nurse and an employee of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
Chandler says Sanchez had a history of mental illness and should have been met with de-escalation, rather than force.
“You know he’s got issues with mental illness,” Chandler said.
The civil lawsuit names both the parole officer involved and the state of California as defendants.
It alleges failures in training, supervision, and oversight and seeks damages for wrongful death and emotional distress.
Chandler says they previously filed a claim with the state but never got a response.
He also says the California Department of Justice’s Office completed a criminal investigation into the shooting, but has not said whether the parole officer will face discipline or charges.
“We want to know what happened here,” Chandler said. “But if it’s systemic with the department in a broader way, we’d like to see change.”
In a statement to FOX 26, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said it does not comment on pending or active litigation.