Santa Ana Police Shoot Knife-Wielding Man Holding Elderly Woman Hostage

On Wednesday, January 1, 2025, at 8:42 p.m., Santa Ana Police Communications received a report of a man restraining a woman in the driveway of a residence. Officers responded with emergency lights and sirens and encountered the suspect, a 55-year-old man of Anaheim, armed with a knife in the driveway. The suspect held the victim, a 79-year-old family member of Anaheim, from behind and refused to let her go. An officer-involved shooting occurred. The suspect sustained a gunshot wound and was treated by the Orange County Fire Authority at the scene. He was later transported to a local hospital, where he is listed in critical condition. The was pronounced deceased on January 04, 2025.

Neither the victim nor the officers were harmed during this incident. A knife was recovered at the scene.