No charges filed against deputies who shot, killed unarmed man

The Monterey County District Attorney’s Office said Friday it will not file criminal charges against the deputies who shot and killed an unarmed wanted parolee back in March.

Hector Chairez was shot and killed March 20 in a rural part along Highway 1 between Carmel and Big Sur. He was a possible burglary suspect when he allegedly led deputies on a chase and rammed a U-Haul truck into an oncoming patrol car. Deputies said Chairez ran in the area near the home on Garrapatos Road.

The DA’s report shows deputies tried getting Chairez to surrender, but he refused, saying he was suicidal and needed mental help.

The report said one of the deputies heard Chairez say he didn’t have a gun. It also states deputies saw bulges in his pants pockets and saw him allegedly drop his hand toward his waistband. They thought he was armed and were afraid of being ambushed, so one of the deputies fired three rounds at Chairez.

The DA’s office said the deputies acted in self-defense and in the defense of others.

The deputies never found a gun on the suspect or in the area after an extensive search.

According to Chairez’s probation officer and other records, he had a lengthy criminal history.