Suspect identified in fatal officer-involved shooting involving auto-theft team in Fresno

A man shot fatally Tuesday afternoon by a multi-agency auto theft team after allegedly ramming a truck into several officers’ cars was a parolee at large who was sought on a warrant, authorities say.

Sheriff’s spokesman Tony Botti said Carlos Baires, 36, of Orange Cove, had a history of auto theft convictions. Released from prison earlier this year, Baires was sought on an active warrant out of the Dinuba Police Department for attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon and carjacking, Botti said.

Baires previously was involved in numerous evasions of officers in connection with auto thefts, Botti added.

Fresno County Assistant Sheriff John Zanoni said officers were attempting to stop the vehicle near Ventura Avenue and South Hazelwood Boulevard around 12:45 p.m. Tuesday when the Baires began ramming patrol vehicles.

Baires “was able to move away from them and rammed another unit at which time some officers’ lives were in danger and an officer-involved shooting occurred,” Zanoni said.

Baires was shot several times while in his vehicle and taken to a hospital where he died.

No officers were injured. A woman in the suspect vehicle was also not injured.

The shooting involved members of the California Highway Patrol’s Help Eliminate Auto Theft Team. The HEAT team is composed of CHP officers, Fresno County Sheriff’s deputies, Clovis police officers and Department of Motor Vehicle investigators.

One CHP officer and one Fresno County deputy were involved in the shooting, Zanoni said.

Fresno police have a separate auto theft team is not involved with the unit.

If anyone who witnessed the incident or captured video of it is asked to contact the Fresno police homicide unit at 559-621-2456 or Fresno County Sheriff homicide unit at 559-600-8200.

This story was originally published July 7, 2020 at 1:27 PM.