A violent armed carjacking incident that started with a stolen Corvette led to a deadly shootout on Wednesday, leaving a veteran San Jose police sergeant injured and the suspect dead, according to officials.
On Thursday, San Jose police reported that the injured sergeant is in good spirits and recovering at the hospital after being shot during this multi-agency event. He was initially taken to Santa Clara Valley Medical Center in critical but stable condition and is expected to recover.
During a press conference on Thursday, San Jose Police Chief Paul Joseph identified the suspect as 30-year-old Mohamed Hussien from Davis, California.
Joseph noted that the suspect’s crime spree began on January 17 in Sacramento when he allegedly stole a red Corvette and then made his way to the Bay Area, committing several robberies along the way.
The situation escalated further when the suspect carried out another armed carjacking at a San Jose auto mall on Wednesday, where he took a green Corvette.
Using automatic license plate reading cameras, San Jose police’s Real-Time Information Center tracked the stolen red Corvette and provided its location to officers shortly before the shootout.
A police helicopter monitored the suspect as he traveled south into San Benito County, notifying Hollister police and sheriff’s deputies around 2:48 p.m.
Officers spotted the suspect’s vehicle near Central Avenue and Miller Road, initiating a low-speed pursuit that ended near Buena Vista Road and Westside Boulevard when the car became disabled.
According to police, the suspect, armed with a handgun, abandoned the vehicle, fired at the officers, and fled on foot. He was then confronted by deputies near Buena Vista Road and Line Street, leading to another exchange of gunfire.
The suspect carjacked yet another vehicle at gunpoint and fled toward San Jose, during which he fired shots at California Highway Patrol troopers who were pursuing him.
The chase concluded near Julian Street and Terrane Street, off Highway 87, where another exchange of gunfire occurred.
Police indicated that the suspect died in the crash, and the San Jose sergeant was injured by gunfire from the suspect. Witnesses reported hearing 20 to 30 shots being fired, and a section of Highway 87 was closed for several hours for investigation.
San Jose police clarified that their officers didn’t engage in the pursuit until it re-entered the city, though a department helicopter had been tracking the suspect the whole time and sharing information with outside agencies.
Footage circulating on social media shows the suspect entering a police vehicle and collapsing as officers approached. Police could not immediately confirm his entry into the squad car, stating that the coroner will determine the cause of death.
“All the officers involved in yesterday’s tragic incident will carry the weight of what happened for the rest of their lives,” Joseph remarked. “Members of the public caught in the crossfire expressed that it felt like a war zone. This illustrates how intense and frightening that moment was, not just for the officers but for the community as well.”
San Jose police sergeant Silva, who was injured during the shooting, has been released from the hospital. In a statement, Steve Slack, president of the San Jose Police Officers Association, commended the officers’ bravery, describing the actions of the injured sergeant as showing “incredible courage.” Slack emphasized that the officers rushed toward danger, effectively eliminating the threat, and that support for the injured sergeant and his family is ongoing.
San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan shared that the officer’s first words at the hospital were, “Please make sure someone takes care of my dog,” demonstrating the values of the department and the risks officers take to protect their community. “That’s the type of person he is,” Mahan added. “We are fortunate to have individuals like this in the San Jose Police Department who put their lives on the line for others.”
The investigation continues as authorities gather more information about the incident.
