California Department of Justice Investigating Fatal Shooting of Gregory Anguiano, 42, in Madera County
MADERA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA (July 5, 2026) – A 42-year-old man identified as Gregory Anguiano has died in a Madera County police shooting.
Madera County officials are saying that the incident took place in June. Authorities are saying that they got a report about a potential burglary in progress.
Another caller reported seeing a man carrying around a crowbar while passing cars. A deputy arrived at the scene and made contact with Gregory Anguiano.
He allegedly became combative and gained control of that deputy’s taser. Several citizens witnessed the encounter and went to help the deputy.
At some point during the encounter, the deputy opened fire and shot Gregory Anguiano. Paramedics were called to the scene to help the man.
Unfortunately, he was pronounced dead at the scene. The shooting remains under investigation by the California Department of Justice.
Liability for Madera County Police Shootings
Police officers have a legal obligation to use the least amount of force necessary for any given encounter. According to California Penal Code 835(a), “the authority to use physical force, conferred on peace officers by this section, is a serious responsibility that shall be exercised judiciously and with respect for human rights and dignity and for the sanctity of every human life. The Legislature further finds and declares that every person has a right to be free from excessive use of force by officers acting under color of law.” There are many steps that police officers should take to avoid fatal shootings.
- Police officers should work to de-escalate the encounter.
- Police officers should avoid rushing into a situation.
- Police officers should follow all safety protocols related to dealing with a suspect who may be in the middle of a mental health crisis.
- Police officers should use verbal warnings before applying any measure of force.
Police officers should follow a use of force continuum. This necessitates that lethal force is only ever used as an absolute measure of last resort. When evaluating whether or not any specific instance of force was excessive, courts in California will take into consideration the totality of circumstances that an officer was facing. An officer’s use of force may have been unconstitutional, even if it appeared justified at the moment.
What to Do After a California Police Shooting
Police shootings remain a common occurrence across California and the United States. According to the Law Enforcement Epidemiology Project, “An estimated 250,000 civilians are injured each year by law enforcement, approximately 80,000 suffer a non-fatal injury requiring hospital treatment.” Multiple steps should be taken after any police shooting in California.
- It should be determined if the officer involved had any history of misconduct allegations against them.
- Body camera footage from responding officers should be reviewed.
- All medical records related to the incident should be collected.
- The family of any person who died should request an independent review by a team with a deep understanding of civil rights claims.
Police departments across California have demonstrated time and again that they are not interested in accepting responsibility when one of their officers kills a suspect. When these departments investigate themselves, they will nearly always come to the conclusion that their officers did nothing wrong. Family members of any person who died in a police shooting can seek some measure of accountability through a civil claim.
Investigating California Police Shootings
We at Carrazco Law extend our deepest condolences to the family of Gregory Anguiano. Any person who may have more information about what happened should reach out to investigators. Every person in California is entitled to due process and equal protection under the law, regardless of what they may have been accused of.
Do you need more information about a Madera County police shooting? Our team of civil rights advocates is here for you. We care deeply that victims of police brutality are aware of their rights and that law enforcement agencies are held fully accountable for their illegal actions. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free investigation into any specific case, we are here to serve your needs. You can reach out to us anytime at (800) 541-3244.
