Police ID Santa Clara man killed by officers

A 24-year-old man who was shot to death by police after his parents called them to their Santa Clara home when he stabbed himself with a knife, was identified by authorities Thursday as an emigrant from Colombia who was pursuing an education in forensic dentistry.

Jesus Alberto Geney Montes, of Santa Clara, was killed March 9 when police officers suspected that he was armed with a handgun and an officer shot Montes “in fear of his safety.”

Police did not find a weapon on Montes.

Montes was born and raised in Colombia. He moved to Santa Clara 12 years ago to be with his mother and stepfather, according to a GoFundMe page set up by friends close to the family.

He was a student at De Anza College in Cupertino and had “big dreams” to become an forensic odontologist, according to the page.

“He was well loved by all of us that had the fortune of know him. He was respectful, responsible and helpful with those around him,” according to the page.

His parents called 911 last week asking for help because their son was acting erratically, police said.

They reported that Montes had cut himself in the chest with a knife, was armed with a handgun and had barricaded himself in his bedroom, said Capt. Wahid Kazem of the Santa Clara Police Department.

Montes had fled out his bedroom window by the time police arrived at the home on Deborah Drive near Monroe Street about 5 p.m.

Officers found Montes at a nearby overpass. They attempted to speak to him, get him to calm down and show his hands. When that failed, officers deployed an electric stun gun, which was also unsuccessful, Kazem said.

Officer Colin Stewart shot Montes when, according to officials, he started to advance on the 13-year law-enforcement veteran in a threatening way.

Montes, who did not have a gun on him, was pronounced dead at the scene, and a bloody knife was found along the path back to his parents’ house.

The incident was recorded by a vest camera worn by Stewart, and the footage will be reviewed by the Santa Clara County district attorney’s office as part of an investigation that is expected to take two to three weeks to complete, officials said.

Stewart is on administrative leave, per protocol.